IoP Physics Network London Coordinator Peter Campbell MInstP, FInstP National Physical Laboratory 3 July 2006

Network aims Bring together specialist teachers of physics: meetings, workshops, Support non-specialists teaching physics at KS3 & KS4. Can you help?

Physics: a gateway Physics all around us – a way of seeing For what careers is a physics qualification –essential? –useful? Research shows Decline in attitudes towards Physics starts in KS3, and pupils decide not to continue with the subject. Implication Physics needs to be taught well through all stages from (appropriate content, teaching approaches that engage learners)

A worrying trend

Budget speech March 2006 The Science and Innovation Investment Framework : Next Steps Government ‘ambitions’: year on year increases in the number of young people taking A levels in physics, chemistry and mathematics: 35,000 A-level physics entries by 2014 (currently 24,200) continually improve the number of pupils getting at least level 6 at the end of Key Stage 3 (11-14 year olds) continually improve the number of pupils achieving A*-B and A*-C grades in two science GCSEs step up recruitment, retraining and retention of physics, chemistry and mathematics specialist teachers. by 2014: 25% of science teachers with a physics specialism 95% of school mathematics lessons taught by a mathematics specialist (currently 88%).

New KS4 Programme of Study just 2 sides of A4 owned by Parliament How science works –Data, evidence, theories & explanations –Practical and enquiry skills –Communication skills –Applications & implications of science Breadth of study (physics) –Energy transfers, efficiency, effects of energy use –Electrical power –Radiation transfers energy, can be used for communication

New suites of GCSE courses GCSE AQAEDEXCELOCR (2 suites) WJEC Science Additional Sci Add Applied Sci Bio/Chem/Phys Applied Sci (Dble) BTEC First Entry Other

AS/A2 Subject criteria response & outcome ~1200 people & organisations responded during the consultation period March-April 2006 Recommended outcomes: All sciences: 6 Units of Assessment Physics: Appropriate content AS/A2 Include nature of science, data, interpretation ‘AEA approach should only be considered where it does not already exist’ (synoptic Qs) Further work to ensure that Physics specs include contemporary content Next steps: QCA publishes new subject criteria – August 2006? Science subject conferences at NSLC, October 2006 Awarding Bodies revise specs,… etc

QCA Review of KS3 – for 2008 Aims reduce prescription & increase flexibility (move away from a "shopping list of facts) ensure transition from key stage 2 and onto key stage 4 advise on how to improve assessment in the foundation subjects Formal consultation period January – May 2007

In outline … Key concepts & key processes (aka How science works) Curriculum development criteria (aka content) energy can be transferred, usefully stored, or wasted, but cannot be created or destroyed forces are interactions between objects and can affect their motion electricity in circuits can produce a variety of effects astronomy and space science provide insight into the observed motions of the Sun, Moon, stars and planets The particle model provides explanations for the different physical properties and behaviour of matter Further supplementary material will 'unpack' these statements. More information at

Teaching resources IoP website Practical work: –Please review experiments, submit experiments Teaching Advanced Physics Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme Register as an associate – ‘exclusive access to online materials and receive free copies of selected hard-copy resources and the SEP newsletter’

Science on Stage Grenoble 2 – 6 April 2007 Do you have new teaching ideas to share? More information about the event, and an application form: National Coordinator:

London information network Newsletter: posted termly to schools & colleges Online: newsletter, London events Please contribute items: forthcoming events in which other teachers of physics might participate. information about an event you’ve attended. details of useful teaching resources. an account of a classroom activity.