Future physics
Published: 13 February 2020
Applications are now open for the 2020/21 Early Career Teacher Development programme. The programme is designed to support early career physics teachers (between their second and fifth year of teaching post qualifying) in their subject knowledge and pedagogical development following their formal teacher training.
“Retention of excellent science teachers in the profession remains a concern across the education sector,” explains James de Winter, Associate Lecturer in Science Education at the University of Cambridge and Ogden lead for initial teacher education & early career teacher development. “We hope that the Early Career Teacher Fellow programme provides some much needed support and nurture for teachers as they begin their careers.”
The programme, which awards a grant to the school as a time buy out of a half day per week, involves regular mentoring, additional CPD, and set timetable release to develop subject knowledge and pedagogy.
Daniel Hobson is taking part in this year’s Early Career Teacher Development programme: “The programme has allowed me to access subject specific CPD and this has influenced my classroom practice,” explains Dan. “Networking with fellow teachers and physics specialists has allowed me to discuss teaching approaches to enthuse all learners.”
An annual conference has become one of the highlights of the programme, bringing together the Ogden Early Career Fellows and other newly qualified teachers (NQT) supported by the IOP Future Physics Leaders. This year’s conference was held at the University of Birmingham and included a whistle stop tour of top teaching tips and discussion on real-life physics contexts. All of the sessions brought valuable insight to classroom physics; they offered practical, easy to implement ideas, and equipped the teachers with techniques and resources for confidently delivering engaging lessons.
“I typed up my notes from the conference and felt reinvigorated. I have already used lots of the resources and passed them on to my colleagues.”
The Ogden Early Career Teacher Development programme awards a grant to the school as a time buy out of a half day per week (0.1FTE) at a set rate of £2,500 for one year. At the time of application, the school must confirm that they will support this time release, if the applicant is successful.
“The Ogden Early Career Teacher Development programme allowed me to explore teaching ideas that I wouldn’t have otherwise had time to experience. It also gave me communication with an experienced physics mentor who provided me with ideas and support relating to my own professional development but also ideas surrounding engagement and teaching the curriculum.
“The time afforded to me through the ECTD programme was of great benefit to our school STEM club and allowed me to take more time to evaluate how to make my lessons engaging and emphasise the real-world context of the physics I teach.”
Charlotte Grace, 2018/19
Early Career Teacher Fellow
Eligibility criteria:
* Applicants must be teaching physics in a state school in England and entering their second to fifth year post qualifying (as previously)
** For applicant teachers entering their second year post qualification, in schools participating rollout of the UK Government Early Career Framework Support Package, Ogden Trust time buy-out funding is not available, however teachers are eligible to receive mentorship and subject specific CPD.
If you’re unsure about the status of your school’s participation in the government scheme, please contact Paul Sapple to discuss your eligibility.
Why not visit our case study pages to read more from two former Early Career Teacher Fellows.