Welcome
Lesley Ward looks back on her first six months as ATL national president - and ahead to this month's ATL Annual Conference in Manchester.

Lesley Ward looks back on her first six months as ATL national president - and ahead to this month's ATL Annual Conference in Manchester.
Teaching and support staff have to work closely together, often in pressured environments, so it's no surprise that conflicts and issues arise. A strong relationship between the two can stop those issues becoming crises.
Report puts your questions to education secretary Ed Balls, shadow education spokesperson Michael Gove and Liberal Democrat education spokesperson David Laws.
Children's author Gill Harvey now splits her working life between Africa, where she researches her books, and the UK, where she spends time with the schoolchildren who comprise her audience.
From September 2010 local authorities must increase the amount of free nursery provision for three- and four-year-olds from 12.5 hours to 15 hours a week. This extended nursery provision presents a challenge for schools - not least because there is no agreed model for implementation.
The rules on industrial action can be complex, but falling foul of them could mean dismissal. ATL solicitor Philip Lott explains the ins and outs of organising a strike - including the balloting process.
Ahead of the general election, ATL general secretary Mary Bousted looks at the positive and negative interventions from central government that have affected education in the last 20 years
Director of ATL Northern Ireland, Mark Langhammer, looks at the possible consequences of the general election for Northern Ireland
Attacks on public spending will have an impact on education in Scotland, says national official for Scotland Keith Robson
Teachers' pay in Wales is a key issue in the general election, says ATL Cymru director Dr Philip Dixon