Government sets targets for Physics and Chemistry teacher training places

Department for Education (DfE) officials have increased the number of teacher training places for physics, with 925 places to be made available from September. The Department also aims to raise the number of chemistry teacher trainees up to 1,070.

This is the first year that government has set subject-specific recruitment targets for science. In previous years an overall target for Initial Teacher Education institutions could be met with a combination of physics, chemistry and biology specialists. The target of almost 1,000 new physics teachers was initially suggested by the Institute of Physics (IOP) last year. The Institute is increasingly concerned by a shortage of specialist physics teachers, with 500 English schools now without a physics graduate.

Physics degree courses are run by 40 English universities, producing 2,000 graduates each year. The current number of physics teacher trainees is 518. The Training and Development Agency for Schools will be running a number of recruitment events alongside the IOP, with a particular drive to encourage engineering and maths graduates to teach physics.

Government support continues for physics through for the Stimulating Physics Network – a support network for teachers of physics in England which aims to provide an inspiring, coherent and sustainable programme of lessons, activities and continuing professional development.

Why not have a look at the Stimulating Physics resources currently held in the eLibrary or view our popular Physics Demonstration Films?