On your marks

The National Assessment Agency is asking school leaders to encourage their teaching colleagues to apply to mark public examinations and national curriculum tests in 2006.

As the NAA states: "Awarding bodies may set and market the examinations, but the system would fail without the support of the professionals who teach the courses also examining them."

A teacher release fee refunds the costs of supply cover during training. Last year the NAA and the awarding bodies had a record number of applicants, but they still need more in 2006, especially in the key areas of English, history, psychology and religious studies.

The NAA is particularly interested in reaching teachers who may be retiring, taking maternity leave or a career break.

Interested individuals can find out more and apply online at www.examinerrecruitment.org