Institute of Physics reports on physics teacher numbers

The Institute of Physics (IOP) has released a new report identifying a serious gap in the number of qualified physics teachers operating in schools, likening the rate of recruitment and retention in the profession to a “bath with the plug out and the taps only half on”. At present, at least 500 state schools in England lack any science teachers with qualifications in physics and there are still big concerns about teacher retention with half of all new physics teachers leaving the profession within four and a half years.

The report proposes some long term solutions such as better marketing targeted at physics graduates, the creation of a few teacher training ‘supercentres’ particularly aimed at training to teach shortage subjects, and mentoring to improve retention. However, in the short-term, the IOP claims that the only solution is to offer professional development to those already teaching science who do not have a physics qualification to ensure they have the confidence and enthusiasm required to inspire students. To this end, IOP continues to run the Stimulating Physics Network, in partnership with the network of Science Learning Centres, which has resulted in partaking schools seeing a 30% increase in the number of students taking their physics AS exams.

Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, IOP's President, said, "We now have a better idea of the scale of the shortage: how many teachers there are at present in England's state schools, how many are currently entering teacher training, and by how much we would need to increase this number in order for every school to have enough physics teachers to be sure its students are getting the best possible education in the subject.

"Despite a recent small upturn in recruitment, the shortage remains a serious problem."

Read the full report on the IOP website.

To browse the IOP’s Stimulating Physics Resources, visit the National STEM Centre eLibrary.