Starting a renaissance in physics at schools

At the event being held to discuss a new grass-roots initiative, the Physics Factory, undertaken to catalyse a renaissance in physics at schools across the UK, Michael Gove said, "With just over 7,000 specialist physics teachers across the UK, a real physics education is reserved for an elite minority at a time when we need a unified cohort of scientifically trained individuals coming up the education pipeline to help us face the major challenges of the twenty first century like climate change." 

Policy laid out by Gove during the talk included a need to give head teachers greater autonomy over their budgets in order to reward teachers from shortage subjects with better pay to attract and retain into the profession; a need to make it harder, by raising qualification requirements, to go into teacher training; and, lastly, offering teachers greater opportunity to advance their own area of specialist knowledge through their schools. 

Also present at the event were Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, President of the IOP, and representatives from local education authorities and schools in Birmingham, Wandsworth, Reading and, to provide a cross-Atlantic perspective, Arizona, US, to give their thoughts on physics education and describe the work they are involved in with the Physics Factory.

Jocelyn Bell Burnell said, "The success of these physics factories hinges on the fact that they stem from the grass roots.  The programme taps the enthusiasm and knowledge that exists in the classroom.  The current centres are effectively autonomous and each is developing in its own way to meet local needs."

Through concentrated centres for specialist physics teaching, Physics Factories, schools within the three UK local authorities - Birmingham, Wandsworth and Reading - are taking coordinated, grass roots action to ensure their students still have access to this fundamental scientific discipline.

Explaining the nature of the Physics Factory in Birmingham, John Booth, Secondary Science Adviser at Birmingham Local Authority, said, "As a unique collaboration between the Local Authority and King Edward VI Five Ways School, we have used the superb facilities to continue building on our successful track record of professional development of teachers to help non-specialist physics teachers teach the subjects with confidence and enthusiasm.

"In September our programme takes another leap forward as a new cohort of students embark upon their GCSE physics.  The response from schools has been huge and we're already considering how to expand our capacity."

Three specific pledges were announced by Micahel Gove at the event:

• End of the 'infinite resit' system for the literacy and numeracy tests for teacher trainees
• The taxpayer will only fund primary teacher training for those with at least a 'B' in English and Maths.  No taxpayer funding for those with third class degrees.
• Every institution that is funded by the taxpayer for primary teacher training will have to teach primary teacher specialist courses in phonics and maths

The Physics Factory Project

The Physics Factory Project is a grass roots movement that aims to take action on the decline of physics in British schools and universities with its resulting damage to Britain's competitiveness in a technological world.

The Physics Factory will increase the appeal and take up of physics in schools and help vulnerable physics departments to a more secure future.

The core idea, which has drawn widespread support, is to concentrate high quality resources in one place, the 'Factory', for the benefit of all schools in the area.  The creation of a 'Factory' is critical.  It needs to be within easy reach of a number of schools where there exists the drive to increase the appeal of physics and a readiness to cooperate.

Two pilot projects have started, one in Birmingham and one in London.  A third is being developed in Reading.  The most urgent need now is to put the funding for these on a more substantial footing.

Core principles that underpin the project:

• Each Physics Factory is largely autonomous (on the principle that top down initiatives rarely work) with local enthusiasts responding to local needs and pressures in the way that seems best
• Participating schools will be strengthening the capacity of their departments and teachers, not eroding them
• Teachers will be part of a team - supported and not undermined
•  The 'Factory' will complement other initiatives rather than compete with them
• The project will support national educational priorities

For further information, go to www.iop.org.