London science teaching scheme welcomes £500,000 from Foyle Foundation

INSPIRE scientists in schools programme receives funding for trainee teacher bursaries - <em>News Release</em>

For immediate release
Tuesday 11 November 2008

An innovative scheme encouraging science postgraduates to enter teaching is being expanded thanks to funding from the Foyle Foundation, announced today.

 

Imperial College London's INSPIRE programme, which combines a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with specialised science communication training, has received £500,000 from the Foyle Foundation to help support the teacher training of 50 scientists over the next five years.

The Foyle Science Scholarships will be targeted at chemistry and physics postgraduates in particular due to the shortage of teachers with a background in those subjects in London's state schools.

Director of INSPIRE Dr Naheed Alizadeh says:

"Teachers with a background in science research can enthuse pupils, debunk myths about science and scientists and give first-hand insight into what it's really like to push back the frontiers of knowledge.

"We hope that being taught by people with a love for their subject will overcome the fears that many pupils have about science - that it's too hard or boring - and draw out their natural thirst for discovering how the universe works."

As well as having highly qualified scientists in their classrooms, schools involved in the programme benefit from access to university-style training for A-level students, school visits to the College's laboratories, science clubs, career advice for pupils and mini conferences for teachers on subjects such as climate change and stem cell research given by leading Imperial researchers. Dr Alizadeh adds:

"Schools tell us that having this strong relationship with a leading university tangibly raises the self-esteem and aspirations of their pupils, who can sometimes feel discouraged by the privilege they perceive their peers at grammar or private schools to have. The teachers themselves also appreciate the development opportunities that come from direct access to cutting edge research."

INSPIRE was launched at Imperial in 2002 with the aim of boosting science education in schools. Originally focused on post-doctoral researchers, the programme has since expanded and is now also open to postgraduate students at the end of their research.

It is a full-time nine month programme made up of seven months of standard PGCE training plus two months of training sessions and workshops on communicating science in engaging and accessible ways. The Foyle funding will help to provide a tax-free bursary of £15,000 over the nine months of the scheme for each participant.

Silas Krendel, Chairman of the Foyle Foundation, says:

"Teaching is intellectually and emotionally attractive for many graduates. It's important that we also make it financially attractive for highly qualified science postgraduates who have many other career opportunities. I'm delighted that Foyle is working with Imperial College to help ensure that the next generation of scientific talent gets a top-notch education. I hope together we will help many more young people to pursue their aptitude for science beyond school to A-level and university."

In 2006, a report commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills (now the Department for Children, Schools and Families) found that in the science departments of UK secondary schools 25% of teachers had a specialism in chemistry and 19% had a specialism in physics. The full report is available at: www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR708.pdf 

For further information contact:

Abigail Smith
Imperial College London Press Office
Tel: 020 7594 6701
Email: abigail.smith@imperial.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

About INSPIRE

INSPIRE is a full-time 9-month programme offering seven months PGCE combined with two months of INSPIRE activities (master classes, science clubs, workshops, demonstration lectures, university visits etc) to Post-Docs, PhD graduates or MSc graduates in the physical sciences at the end of their research.

Its main aims are to raise the profile and importance of science and science teaching; improve achievement in science and the numbers qualified in this subject; increase in the number of qualified science teachers with high academic ability and direct experience of scientific research; strengthen the link between schools and universities; enthuse young people in science; and increase awareness of science based career opportunities.

It is funded by the Foyle Foundation, the Training and Development Agency for Schools, participating schools and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk/inspire 

INSPIRE partner schools:

To participate in the scheme schools must be a state funded comprehensive or grammar school located within or around the London area and seeking or having specialism in science or science combined with engineering, mathematics and computing or technology.

Current participating schools are:

The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls (Ealing)
Southgate School (Enfield)
Ashmole School (Barnet)
Riddlesdown High School (Croydon)
Salvatorian RC College (Harrow)
St Saviour's and St Olave's School (Southwark)
Sandringham School (Hertfordshire)
St Gregory's Catholic Science College (Brent)
The Heathland School (Hounslow)
Cardinal Pole Roman Catholic School (Hackney)

About the Foyle Foundation

The Foyle Foundation was formed in the year 2000 by Silas Krendel and the original Trustees, to implement the will of the late Christina Foyle. She was the daughter of William Foyle who, with his brother, founded the family owned bookshop in Charing Cross Road, London.

Since 2001, the Foyle Foundation has emerged as a major grant-making trust which has already disbursed over £31 million pounds in grants to UK charities in the areas of Arts, Learning and Health. Within Learning, the Foundation seeks to make a difference by supporting projects which facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and which will have a long-term strategic impact.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees who meet regularly throughout the year to consider applications and make decisions on grants. The Trustees are Silas Krendel, Michael Smith, Kathryn Skoyles and Sir Peter Duffell. The Chairman of the Board is Silas Krendel. The Foundation's Chief Executive is David Hall.

About Imperial College London

Consistently rated amongst the world's best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 12,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality.

Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.

Since its foundation in 1907, Imperial's contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the ap plication of research fo r the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health in the UK and globally, tackle climate change and develop clean and sustainable sources of energy.

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk