standard of initial teacher education and to improve the quality and consistency of CPD. The centres promote good practice and research, and develop advice and guidance that covers generic teaching issues as well as specific subject resources.
Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors (CIEA)
The CIEA is a professional body dedicated to supporting the needs of everyone involved in educational assessment. This includes senior examiners, moderators and markers, to individuals with an interest in, or responsibility for, assessment in primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, universities, training centres and other educational organisations. Membership is open to everyone with an interest in educational assessment as well as those studying to become teachers.
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
The CIPD is the professional body for human resources and people development. It champions better work and working lives. It has a Code of Professional Conduct for its members and has been setting the benchmark for excellence in people and organisation development for more than 100 years. Through its expertise and research, it provides a valuable point of view on the rapidly changing world of work. It sets professional standards and provides the know-how to drive the human resources, and learning and development professions forward.
Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE)
The CIFE is a membership body for the higher performing FE colleges and training providers in the UK. It received its Royal Charter in 2015. Its aim is to develop the standing of the FE sector, bringing together training providers to promote and celebrate good practice.
Colleges and training providers with an overall Ofsted grade one or two and in receipt of public funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) are eligible to apply for membership.
Colleges Northern Ireland (CNI)
Northern Ireland’s six regional colleges operate across more than 40 campuses and over 400 outreach community locations. They aim to support, represent and promote the colleges, and positively impact upon their vital contribution to Northern Ireland’s economic and social well-being. They provide the voice for the college sector, and advocate on behalf of the sector, including lobbying government departments and other agencies.
Education and Training Foundation (ETF)
The ETF is all about excellence in teaching and learning in England and Wales.
Its mission is to:
• promote the professionalism and status of those working in the post-16 education and training sector, ensuring members gain wider recognition for their expertise and practice
• engage members in the active use, creation and dissemination of existing and new research into effective teaching and learning practice
• bring together members into professional communities of practice through events and community networks, regional, national and online
• provide CPD opportunities which are relevant and impactful, at a reasonable cost.
The ETF operates the membership organisation known as the Society for Education and Training (SET) which is listed towards the end of this section.
General Teaching Council Northern Ireland (GTCNI)
The GTCNI is the independent professional body for teachers in Northern Ireland. It is dedicated to enhancing the status of teaching, and promoting the highest standards of professional conduct and practice. It offers a fresh and authoritative perspective on educational issues by drawing on the experience and knowledge of teachers. It enables teachers to have the opportunity to contribute to, and shape, the future development of the profession.
Institute of Training and Occupational Learning (ITOL)
ITOL is the UK’s professional body for trainers and learning and development professionals. In 2000 it was granted ‘Institute’ status and since that time has become recognised as the premier organisation for everyone involved in the world of training and development.
Learning and Work Institute (LWI)
The LWI is a membership organisation with a diverse set of individual and corporate members including colleges, local authorities, third-sector organisations, universities, businesses and iconic organisations in civil society. It works with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to support the learning and skills sector in providing more and better opportunities for all adults. It also advances the case for adult learning among policy-makers.
National Education Union (NEU)
The NEU was formed in September 2017 from the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and the National Union of Teachers (NUT). It represents the majority of teachers and provides a powerful voice for the whole education profession, including support staff, lecturers and leaders working in state-funded and independent schools and colleges. It will be the fourth largest trade union in the UK and the biggest union of teachers and education professionals in Europe.
Society for Education and Training (SET)
The SET is the professional membership organisation run by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF). It is for practitioners working in the post-16 education and training sector. The SET believes that high quality education and training is essential to growth and employment. It supports initial and ongoing professional development, equipping practitioners with the tools and support they need to be excellent in their practice, improving outcomes for learners and employers.
University and College Union (UCU)
The UCU is the largest post-school union in the world, offering support and protection to its members.
Its members include: academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, administrators, managers, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates from a university, college, prison, adult education or training organisation.
Extension activity
Ascertain if there is a set of professional standards in the industry or country in which you work. You might need to ask a colleague or carry out an internet search. Locate a copy and find out if they are mandatory or voluntary. Take a look through them, do you feel they adequately reflect what you thought your role would involve? You could also find out what professional organisations are available, or look at the websites of some of those listed here to see if it’s worth joining them. Weblinks are at the end of this chapter.
Study skills, academic writing and referencing
If you are working towards a teaching qualification, you will need to be prepared to study in your own time. This will include activities such as research, reading textbooks and reflecting upon your practice. You might also have to use an academic style of writing and reference any quotes you use from sources such as textbooks. You will need to be self-motivated and able to dedicate an appropriate amount of time to this on a regular basis. If you can, set aside time in a place you won’t be disturbed so that you can focus on what is required. If you are interrupted, distracted, hungry or thirsty when studying, you probably won’t be able to concentrate very well.
It’s useful to keep to all target dates for
