04 July 2008
A serious shortage of physics teachers has left almost a quarter of secondary schools in England without any specialists, says a survey.
The report, by Professor Alan Smithers and Pamela Robinson of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, says 26% more physics teachers are leaving or retiring than are being recruited. From September, pupils who do sufficiently well in tests for 14-year-olds will have an entitlement to be taught physics.
But according to the authors, this will have to be provided by non-specialist staff.
The survey shows regional differences in the availability of teachers and raises serious questions about the viability of physics as a separate subject. Around half of secondary schools in London do not have a physics teacher, while in Yorkshire and Humberside all but 10% have a specialist.
The authors argue that physics has been pushed into decline by a drive for general science courses.
A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said it was investing £140m over the next three years to enhance recruitment and retention of physics and chemistry specialists.
'The number of pupils taking individual physics, chemistry and biology GCSEs is rising and by September 2008, all pupils achieving at least level six at Key Stage Three will be entitled to study triple science GCSE,' he said.
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