Record number UK physics teachers in training
The number of physics teachers in training in the United Kingdom has reached a record high, according to census data published at the end of last month. The statistics from the Training and Development Agency for Schools [TDA] – which have been taken since 1979 – report that 864 people are in training to become physics specialists this year, and increase of 30 per cent from 2010.
“We hope that these very impressive numbers represent the beginning of the much-needed sea change in recruitment to physics teaching,” said Peter Main, the Director of Education and Science at the Institute of Physics.
“The setting of a separate target for the recruitment of physics teachers, distinct from science teachers, played a major role and shows that the government and TDA are serious about solving the alarming shortage of specialist physics teachers in schools.”
It is also hoped that the introduction of a ‘Physics with Maths’ Postgraduate Certificate in Education next September will also help boost the number of physics teachers, by attracting those who might be deterred by having to teach biology and chemistry in addition to physics.
“These figures show an encouraging trend towards raising the quality of graduates who enter the teaching profession, especially in key shortage subjects such as physics,” said UK Schools Minister Nick Gibb, adding: “…however, if we want to have an education system that ranks with the best in the world, we need to do more to attract people of the highest ability into the classroom. We have just introduced bursaries of up to £20,000 for top graduates and a prestigious Institute of Physics Scholarship to recruit more high quality physics teachers.”
“These measures will help ensure we have a new cadre of teachers with a deep and expert understanding of their subject, as well as the practical skills that teachers need, such as the ability to manage behaviour.”
The 2011 Census data can be read on the Training and Development Agency for Schools website.
