The tools to teach physics
Is physics at your school being taught out of specialism? We are here to help.
Published: 14 February 2025
If KS3/4 physics at your school is being taught by a teacher teaching out of field, you are not alone! The challenges of physics teacher recruitment and retention are well reported and persistent. In the 2024 RSC Science Teaching Survey, 58% of teachers in mainstream (and special) schools in England reported that they are understaffed in physics and 43% of teachers in England said a lack of specialist teachers has had a detrimental effect on student learning outcomes.* Addressing the shortage of specialist physics teachers is a national imperative and we are here to help.
We have been delivering the DfE funded Subject Knowledge for Physics Teaching programme since 2022 and more than 1,150 modules have now been completed with programme momentum building. This term alone, 217 teachers signed up for our spring sessions, looking to develop their subject knowledge and classroom confidence.
Led by experienced physics practitioners, each SKPT module requires 20 hours of learning and takes place over an eight-week period, which includes face-to-face sessions (covering the required practicals), webinars and independent learning. The programme is fully funded and a school subsidy towards teacher cover costs is available on completion.
Summer sessions
Our summer term modules start in April. We are delivering sessions on forces in Manchester, Birmingham, London and Harrogate; sessions on atomic physics are available at venues across England. All places are booked through the STEM Learning website.
Residential
There are still limited places available for our SKPT residential which is always popular with teachers who are teaching physics out of field. The residential starts with two days in York on March 27 and 28, and includes three remote webinars, supported online study of up to 30 hours and a concluding residential in July. Teachers will cover all the KS3 and KS4 content for electricity, forces and energy, including the required practicals. The course is free, and all accommodation is included. Places can be booked through the STEM Learning website.
Bespoke
Bespoke SKPT delivery can also be arranged for academy trusts and whole school science departments. Teachers can join an expert practitioner to start a fast-track physics journey in one of the six core physics topics covered by this subject knowledge CPD. If you would like to organise a bespoke SKPT programme, you can register your interest now and we will be in touch to discuss your requirements.
Sibonokuhle Ncube is a science teacher at Langley Park School for Girls. She completed our first SKPT residential covering the topics of energy, electricity and forces.
“Being a non-specialist in physics, I felt enhancing this knowledge would help me to give students a more rewarding learning experience … SKPT has equipped me with theoretical knowledge and with new pedagogical strategies that I can directly apply in the classroom.
“The training has boosted my confidence in teaching physics, and I have seen an improvement in my student’s engagement and participation. I have started to use modelling with PhET as well as introducing more real-life examples into my teaching that students can relate to. My pupils are more engaged, participating more and displaying better understanding. I am monitoring changes in results, and I am hopeful that the increased engagement and participation will have a positive impact.
“SKPT is designed in a way that accommodates the workload of teachers. The content is delivered in a practical manner making it easy to pick up concepts that you can directly apply to your teaching.”
Book your place now
Visit the STEM Learning website to secure your FREE place for any of our SKPT sessions.
Each SKPT module covers the required practicals and addresses misconceptions, improves pedagogical approaches, and builds subject knowledge and classroom confidence. Modules take eight weeks to complete and require 20 hours of learning, including face-to-face sessions, online tutorials and independent learning.
The CPD is fully funded, and there is a school subsidy available on successful completion of a module. Teachers can also complete a Subject Knowledge Award accredited by the Institute of Physics.
SKPT, London