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.