Scheme to boost science teaching in state schools celebrates new graduates - <em>News</em>

Thursday 23 July 2009
By Naomi Weston

A scheme aimed at boosting science teaching in state schools is celebrating the graduation of its first batch of trainee teachers.

Imperial College London’s INSPIRE programme, which offers specialist teacher training to science postgraduates, saw seven participants receive their Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) this month. Established to tackle the shortage of science teachers with a scientific background in London state schools, the scheme is particularly aimed at chemistry and physics postgraduates, due to the shortage of teachers with qualifications in those subjects.

INSPIRE is supported by the Foyle Foundation, which last year awarded the scheme £500,000 to fund the training of 50 scientists over five years and provide them with a tax-free bursary of £15,000 over the nine months of the programme.

One of the new graduates, Elizabeth Tate, is now working in the Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls, Ealing, where she carried out her teacher training. The school’s Head of Science, Emma Payler, says that in the time the school has been involved with INSPIRE they have seen applications by their pupils to study science at university double. She adds:

“The main benefit is the direct contact the students get with a real scientist. They get a massive exposure to up-to-date research that they see is appropriate to their lives, so it breaks down the barriers between scientists and students. We think it raises their aspirations about doing science themselves.”

Teacher training for INSPIRE is provided by Canterbury Christ Church University.