Secondary physics: out-of-field

Why is subject specific CPD important?

With the long-standing deficit in physics teacher recruitment and well-documented challenges in retention, physics is often taught by teachers without a physics degree or a specialist physics initial teacher training qualification (ITT). In 2025, the Institute of Physics reported that a quarter of English state schools now have no specialist physics teachers at all, meaning that many students are missing out on the rewarding career paths physics provides and that the UK skills shortage is being compounded.*

Subject-specific professional development is key to enabling teachers to deliver purposeful, practical classroom physics, supporting teacher retention and student results. We deliver a number of programmes to build the competence and confidence of out of field secondary teachers of physics from KS3 through to A-level.

With programmes delivered by experienced physics practitioners, teachers can join a supportive learning community and find the professional development pathway that works for them.

• Build competence and confidence to bring physics to life in the classroom
• Identify and address misconceptions in physics teaching and learning
• Develop strategies to ensure required GCSE and A-levels practicals are purposeful learning opportunities

*Follow this link to access the IOP research: The physics teacher shortage and addressing it through the 3Rs: Retention, Recruitment and Retraining (England) | Institute of Physics