Excellence in physics teaching
Published: 30 October 2020
Congratulations to Jackie Flaherty and Henry Hammond who are among seven secondary teachers recognised this year in the IOP Teachers of Physics Awards for their outstanding contributions to classroom practice in the teaching of physics and their commitment to enthusing and enabling other physics teachers.
Jackie is Director of STEM at Chipping Campden School and Teaching & Learning Lead for The Ogden Trust. Henry is Director of Science and Maths Specialisms at Alexandra Park School, London and Secondary Physics Lead for the Trust. “Both Jackie and Henry have been instrumental in developing and delivering our resource and CPD provision,” says Ogden Chief Executive, Clare Harvey. “Whilst their teaching inspires students at their own school, their wider work is far-reaching – helping many other teachers to deliver inspiring and engaging practical physics. Jackie and Henry bring immeasurable experience, expertise and enthusiasm to our programmes and we are delighted to see their efforts recognised with these IOP teaching awards.”
Jackie’s expertise and enthusiasm are a real asset to the teaching and learning of physics; as John Sanderson, Principal at Chipping Camden School, explains, “she is highly skilled at taking complex concepts within physics and enabling students to see the beauty and wonder within the subject while securing a comprehensive understanding of how and why things are the way they are. Students thrive in her lessons as they become infected by her enthusiasm and coached to think and question independently.”
Jackie shares her teaching talent, skills and enthusiasm through many teaching, CPD and training initiatives and is committed to upskilling other teachers. Jackie leads the primary Phizzi and P3L CPD programmes for the Trust and has led the development of new programmes to support secondary RQTs/NQTs and non-specialist KS3 teachers to confidently deliver physics in the classroom. She has also led several Ogden school partnerships, developing physics practice and teaching across primary and secondary schools.
Henry Hammond is a creative and enthusiastic physics teacher who has overseen a growth in the A-level physics cohort at his school from 16 to 67, with a big increase in separate sciences at GCSE, and new extra-curricular opportunities such as leading primary science clubs. He is always looking for new ways to develop the curriculum and encourage inclusivity. Henry is committed to supporting staff to develop locally and nationally. He runs the North London Science Learning Partnership, two local Ogden Trust partnerships, delivers TSST, hosts interns and trainees, supports technicians, and supports the development and delivery of Ogden Trust professional development across England.
We must also give special mention to IOP Teacher of Physics Award winner Dr Ian Udall from Loreto College, Manchester. Ian is a dedicated, hugely inspirational teacher who has encouraged many pupils to go on to study physics and engineering at a higher level. He is a former Ogden Teacher Fellow, who continues to coordinate extracurricular activities for Years 7-13, including the annual Fabulous Physics event for Greater Manchester.
Chris Shepherd, Teacher Recruitment and Retention Manager at the IOP, said: “Once again I am thrilled to see these colleagues being recognised and rewarded for their dedication and commitment to teaching.
“Each one of them has raised the profile of their school and has undoubtedly supported the dreams and aspirations of many students, through enhancing their learning experience and supporting and enabling their achievements.
“On behalf of the Institute of Physics, I would like to thank and warmly congratulate them.”
Also in the 2020 IOP Awards
Professor Carlos Frenk, Chair of The Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics at Durham University, receives the Paul Dirac Medal and Prize for outstanding contributions to establishing the current standard model for the formation of all cosmic structure, and for leading computational cosmology within the UK for more than three decades.
An honorary fellowship for Paul Cook, Senior Technician, Ark Burlington Danes Academy, West London and Ogden Technician Lead, South, for his excellent work as a science technician in the education sector and his diligent work with students through numerous outreach workshops and projects.
