New network of physics support centres

The Institute of Physics (IOP) has been awarded a major contract by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to improve take-up of physics A-level through a network of physics support centres. IOP will work with the Science Learning Centres to build the Stimulating Physics Network.

The contract, which will initially run for 20 months, provides an opportunity for the IOP to build on the success of its teacher network and of the Stimulating Physics pilot – both of which have helped improve the image and enjoyment of physics in schools across England.

The Stimulating Physics Network will provide global support to all schools in England by growing the teacher network from 20 to 37 Physics Network Coordinators. In addition, some schools will get intensive support from 23 newly recruited Teaching and Learning Coaches, whose first task is to undertake a needs-analysis of schools and identify schools where a culture of physics has been lost.

Charles Tracy, head of education pre-19 at IOP, said, “We know that schools with knowledgeable and enthusiastic physics teachers have a healthy supply of students choosing to take physics beyond GCSE. There are however many schools where students are not choosing physics – or being denied an opportunity to take it. We aim to help these schools to provide their students with the opportunity, the desire and the grounding to take a subject which develops their intellectual capability and opens doors for them later in life.”

The model of physics teacher support, developed through IOP’s Stimulating Physics pilot, involves identifying the needs of different science departments and offering bespoke support. It is the task of the Teaching and Learning Coaches to identify the needs and, through direct support, workshops, the sharing of best practice, peer-to-peer links and the dissemination of new ideas, help science departments reinvigorate physics teaching in their school.

Caroline Hurren, Programme Director for the Regional Science Learning Centres, said, “We are delighted to be working with the IOP to improve the take-up of physics A-level. The network will complement and enhance the wide range of courses that Science Learning Centres offer teachers of physics.”

A spokesperson from the Department for Children, Schools and Families said, “This partnership is excellent news for physics education in England. It will play a crucial role in encouraging and supporting more young people to continue studying physics at A-level and beyond. It expands activities that have already been shown to work; support more teachers; and give more pupils access to more physics lessons taught with depth, clarity, enthusiasm and relevance.”