Teacher Stress in Scotland Mike Finlayson examines research on Teacher Support Scotland, which found that the main causes of stress were pupil indiscipline, relationships at work and excessive workload. Letter from Scotia Our Scotland Editor, John Dobie, takes an in-depth look at tensions between the Scottish Executive and the local authorities arising from the passing of the School Education (Ministerial Powers and Independent Schools) (Scotland) Bill 2004. Media Watch Ruth Kelly, and the Prime Minister's encounter with an angry mother. Book Review Ann-Marie Argyropulo-Palmer reviews Becoming an Orchestral Musician: A Guide for Aspiring Professionals, which provides an insight into the world of professional performers. Times Were When Literacy and Illiteracy in Lindsey, Lincolnshire in the nineteenth century. General section Conferences George Low reports from the ConfEd annual conference; Demitri Coryton was at the NUT conferences in London and Cardiff and at TEN; plus coverage of the Labour Spring Conference and BETT. Fun A page of jokes and quotes from pupil essays. The best of the month is "When you smell an odourless gas, it is probably carbon monoxide." Obituaries We record with regret the deaths of Peter Dawson, former general secretary of NATFHE, and Don Allen, Hampshire County Council's executive member for education. Opinion Max Morris, former president of the NUT, on Ruth Kelly. Iftikhar Ahmad, director of the London School of Islamics, on the Muslim community's efforts to set up state-funded Muslim schools. Reference section Document Reviews The documents reviewed this month are Ofsted's and Estyn's annual report, School Self-Evaluation: A process of Change from the NAEIAC, and An Analysis of Compacts: a mirror on the partnership between the DfES and LEAs from EMIE at NFER. Document Digest Reports Digest Reports from LEAs on the use of school premises for community purposes; record keeping and retention; LEA support for Bedfordshire schools; the Extended Schools Project; and bullying. Research section Research Digest Research Notes Research Editor Michael Marshall looks at the effect of changes to the national curriculum on education research. Improving Educational Outcomes Anne Wilkin and Kay Kinder of the NFER report on phase one of a study into the role of LEAs in improving educational outcomes. Teacher Leaders Michael Marshall reports on a paper on the use of action research in schools delivered at the NCSL conference by Despina Pavlou of the Lord Grey School in Milton Keynes. Short Research Reports Brief reports on headteacher performance management; FE college classes; the Scottish Qualification for Headship and secondary school science. Parliamentary section Westminster: the Education Bill Nick Kent, editor of Education Parliamentary Monitor, reports on the committee stage of the Education Bill in the House of Lords. Westminster: Education Outside the Classroom Michael Marshall reports on the Education and Skills Select Committee's report on school field trips. Westminster: School Discipline A report on the Commons debate on pupil behaviour. Scottish Parliament Helen Grimmett, editor of EPM Scotland, reports on the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Bill and the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill. Welsh Assembly: Repairs, FE and Transport A report on an opposition debate on the Welsh language and the WAG policy of providing free school breakfasts in primary schools. Parliamentary Questions Answers to written parliamentary questions include those covering VAT for schools and colleges; building schools for the future; the Extended Schools Programme; special schools; and Scottish adult education. Phoenix The fire at the NUT training centre at Stoke Rochford Hall and the ConfEd conference.