IOP NQT conference
Charles Tracy
Head of Education
14th July 2014
Charles.tracy@iop.org, www.iop.org
Welcome
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And congratulations
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Who we are
What we think
What we do
Why we do it
What happens next
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Who we are
X 50
X 35
What we think - about learners
It is the cultural entitlement of all students to
learn physics, taught by an accomplished
teacher with expertise in the subject, until they
can make an informed decision to take it further.
What we think – about teaching
The biggest single external influence on learners’
progress in, engagement with, understanding of and
enjoyment of the subject is their teacher.
It is essential, therefore, that there is a complete,
professionalised, engaged and satisfied workforce
that includes enough accomplished teachers with
expertise in teaching physics.
What we think – about teachers
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The IOP values teachers:
Teaching physics is doing physics
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Development
Support
What we think – about physics
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Not a bunch of content
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A set of ways of thinking
Big thematic ideas
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An intellectual reward
 There’s nothing as satisfying as a physics
explanation
What we do
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Education department
 Policy: Recruitment, curriculum, assessment
 Projects and resources
 Support networks
What we do - Policy
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Concerns about
 Specialist teacher numbers
 Recruitment and retention
 The curriculum – uncultured
 Assessment
 Drivers and accountability measures
 Under-represented groups
Projects
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Resources
 Medical physics
 Physics and football
 Reward cards
 Physics in concert
 Posters
Physics in concert
What we do - Support networks
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The teacher network
Stimulating Physics Network
Mentoring (SPS)
Affiliated schools
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Resources and discounts
Education Forum
Talkphysics
On the web:
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SPT resources
TAP resources
Practicalphysics
What we do – pilot projects
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Girls
 Improving Gender Balance
 Drayson project
 Opening Doors
Socio-economic background
 RAP project
Ethnicity
Why we do it
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Concern about
 A-level take-up
90000
80000
70000
60000
50000
Physics
40000
Mathe
matics
30000
20000
10000
0
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
URLs
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www.iop.org
/network
/affiliation
/education
/membership
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www.talkphysics.org
www.stimulatingphysics.org
http://tap.iop.org/
www.practicalphyiscs.org
Why we do it
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Access to physics
 500 schools send no-one on to A-level
Identification with subject
Diversity
 49% of mixed maintained schools send
no girls to A-level
Ensuring the cultural entitlement
What next?
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Enjoy today
Go into teaching
Keep in touch
Locate your Physics Network Coordinator