Has School Day left you wanting to explore education in more depth? We've got some suggestions of appropriate courses - whether you're a parent, or an education worker - and books providing background and advice. For a collection of education-related weblinks, click here.

Courses for parents If you want to brush up your skills - perhaps to enable you to take a more active interest in your children's education - the OU has some courses which can give you a grounding in the basics of maths and using the Net:

Maths for Science
Living With the Net - Using Computing To Enrich Your Life The Relevant Knowledge courses offer a range of short courses exploring aspects of technology.

Courses for those already in Education Understanding E-Learning: A Guide for Teachers and Learners
This course aims to provide an introduction to the issues and technologies surrounding e-learning. It is ideal for teachers, educators, decision makers, students or anyone with a general interest in e-learning and how children of today can use this technology to enhance their learning.

For those who wish to further their professional development the Open university offers Europe's largest Master's programme in education. Courses include literacy development, behaviour, teaching English to speakers of other languages, lifelong learning, and researching inclusive practice. A full list of what's on offer can be found on the Open University Education and Teacher Training webpages.

Specialist Teacher Assistant Certificate
Offered to people already working in a primary school as a teaching assistant, whether paid or unpaid, this course equips you with the knowledge, skills and understanding to be an effective teaching assistant.

Postgraduate Certificate In Education
The Open University offers a number of PGCE courses, allowing graduates from any university a route into teaching in the Secondary Education sector.

Books
Our team of experts have recommended the following books

A Guide to the National Curriculum - Bob Moon (Oxford University Press) - now into its fourth edition, this book is essential reading for teachers in training and any parent wishing to understand exactly how the curriculum works in English schools.

Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook: A Short Guide to Her Ideas and Materials - Maria Montessori (Random House USA) - a guide to recreating the 'Montessori' method in your own home.

Effective Change in Schools (School Leadership) - Chris James & Una Connolly (RoutledgeFalmer) - Although aimed mainly at those involved in day-to-day school management, this collection of case studies of real schools is of interest to anyone with a stake in the education system.

Improving School Effectiveness - Edited by John MacBeath & Peter Mortimore (Open University Press) - Three decades of research into schools and twenty-four case studies distilled into a clear description of exactly what schools can do to make a difference to their pupils.

Children Excluded from Primary School: Debates, Evidence, Response - C. Hayden (Open University Press)

Alternatives to Exclusion from School - P. Munn, G.Lloyd, M. A. Cullen (Paul Chapman Publishing)

Education, Exclusion and Citizenship - C. Parsons (Routledge)