Since 1989 initial teacher training courses in England and Wales have included teacher preparation for taking a lead in a school subject area in their first appointment. There is no longer a place for a teacher newly qualified or not in primary schools whose sole responsibility is for his or her own class. A teacher must have specific specialist knowledge and expertise in particular subjects which must be shared with all staff.; This text contains the latest curriculum and assessment changes. It aims to help students and newly qualified teachers to understand the complexities of being a co-ordinator of the National Curriculum subjects in the early years of schooling and reports on best practice.