IOP NQT conference Charles Tracy Head of Education 6 th July

Welcome l And congratulations l Who we are l What we think l What we do l Why we do it l What happens next

Who we are – the Institute of Physics l Membership charity l Also called professional body, subject association, learned society l 50,000 members worldwide l Tend to be professional physicists l Provide professional recognition l Support education

Who we are – the Education Department 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 l The IOP values teachers: Teaching physics is doing physics l Development l Support

What we think – about physics l Not a bunch of content l A set of ways of thinking l Big thematic ideas l An intellectual reward l There’s nothing as satisfying as a physics explanation

What we do l Education department l Policy: Recruitment, curriculum, assessment l Projects and resources l Support networks

What we do - Policy l Concerns about l Specialist teacher numbers l Recruitment and retention l The curriculum – uncultured l Assessment l Drivers and accountability measures l Under-represented groups

Projects l Resources l Medical physics l Physics and football l Reward cards l Physics in concert l Posters Physics in concert

What we do - Support networks l The teacher network l Stimulating Physics Network l Mentoring (SPS) l Affiliated schools l Resources and discounts l Education Forum l Talkphysics l On the web: l SPT resources l TAP resources l Practicalphysics

What we do – pilot projects l Girls l Improving Gender Balance l Drayson project l Opening Doors l Socio-economic background l RAP project l Ethnicity

Why we do it l Concern about l A-level take-up

Why we do it l Access to physics l 500 schools send no-one on to A-level l Identification with subject l Diversity l 49% of mixed maintained schools send no girls to A-level l Ensuring the cultural entitlement

What next? l Enjoy today l Go into teaching l Keep in touch l Locate your Physics Network Coordinator

URLs l /network /affiliation /education /membership /network /affiliation /education l l l l