There continues to be a physics teacher recruit and retention crisis across the nations of the UK. There is little point in governments investing heavily in teacher recruitment if qualified teachers then leave the profession in large numbers.
With this in mind, Mark Whalley and Stuart Farmer have conducted research in both England and Scotland into identifying the reasons why physics teachers have recently left the profession. In this session, these reasons will be explored and comparisons made between the situations in Scotland and England, which factors are in common and which are different in the two nations where there has been an increasing divergence in educational policy in the last two decades. How do factors such as accountability and performativity, administrative workload, pupil behaviour, relationships with colleagues, and career progression routes impact on teacher wellbeing and their decisions to stay or leave teaching?
Learning and Skills Manager, IOP and Perimeter Institute
I was a teacher of physics in Scotland for over 30 years before becoming the Scottish Education Manager for IOP in February 2019. Throughout this time I have been active in curriculum and assessment development and providing professional learning for teachers. I am a former Chair... Read More →
Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Chester
I'm a senior lecturer in Educational Leadership at the University of Chester. My main teaching covers Professional Learning and Change Leadership but I also tutor across the MA Educational Leadership programme. My principal research interest is in teacher retention and by focusing... Read More →
Physics is full of abstract ideas. For many students, these concepts can feel remote and inaccessible. Narrative and analogy offer powerful ways to bridge that gap.
This interactive session will explore how storytelling, models, and analogies can transform the teaching of physics. We will look at classic examples such as the “rope” model of current electricity or the “dice roll” analogy for nuclear decay alongside original classroom tested narratives I have developed. We will discuss how these approaches benefit student learning, from reducing misconceptions to increasing engagement.
We will also consider the limitations of analogies, how encouraging students to recognise where a model breaks down can be beneficial to understanding. Given time, there will be an opportunity for participants to share their own analogies and reflect on how narrative can enrich their teaching practice as well as how AI can play a role in this style of teaching.
Outcomes: By the end of the session, participants will be able to: •Identify effective uses of narrative, storytelling, models, and analogies in physics teaching. •Apply at least two new analogies or narratives in their own lessons. •Evaluate the strengths and limitations of analogies to avoid reinforcing misconceptions. •Develop strategies to make abstract concepts more memorable and engaging for students aged 11–18.
Background: Over 30 years of teaching physics to students aged 11–18, I have found that physics concepts - from Newton’s laws to nuclear decay - often become more accessible when framed through narrative or analogy. My classroom practice has involved developing stories and models that resonate with learners, drawing on both established teaching analogies and my own creations. These approaches have consistently helped students connect new ideas to prior knowledge, making difficult concepts memorable and meaningful.
This CPD session explores how science teachers can effectively plan for and support strong progression in practical work from KS3 through to KS5. Moving beyond isolated experiments, the session focuses on how practical skills develop over time, building from curiosity and engagement in KS3 to confidence, independence, and precision at A-Level. Teachers will consider how to sequence practical experiences, reinforce key skills, and ensure students are well-prepared for the increasing demands of assessed practical work. The session emphasises the importance of coherence and continuity in developing scientifically skilled and confident learners.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to: > Identify the key components of effective practical progression from KS3 to KS5. > Recognise gaps and inconsistencies in students’ practical skills development. > Apply strategies to support a coherent and purposeful approach to practical work across the curriculum.
The session will explore what effective practical progression looks like across the secondary phase, using examples to highlight how skills can be built and revisited over time. Teachers will engage in activities to map practical skills, analyse current practice, and identify opportunities to strengthen progression. Through discussion and practical approaches, participants will develop strategies to ensure students move from early curiosity to confident, capable practical scientists by the end of KS5.
Frank is a highly experienced educator and assessment specialist with over two decades of service in science education. He has held leadership roles including Head of Science and Head of Vocational Science, teaching GCSE and A-level sciences across multiple schools. Currently serving... Read More →
Proudly partnering the ASE for their 2027 Annual Conference.
Since 1903, we’ve been rewarding achievement by designing and delivering fair and inclusive assessment. We do this because we believe that quality assessment is an essential ingredient for a good education. We’re the most chosen exam board in England and we set and mark the papers... Read More →
Aims: - To create a safe space for debate where people can explore their own understanding of gender/sex - To deconstruct some ideas about classification systems and essentialism.
Objectives: - To be able to answer the question “What is a woman?” - To be able to answer pupils’ questions about gender/sex more confidently - To be able to name and explain several examples of organisms that are outside of the gender/sex binary
In this workshop I will create a space where we are able to debate about gender and sex, we will be looking for the grey areas and discovering how and why things are not always as binary as they seem. Using my gender studies background I will share with you some philosophical ideas about gender/sex and oppression. We will explore how queer nature can be, and share exceptions to the sexual binaries in humans, and many other organisms.
Freelance educator specialised in gender/sexuality diversity and feminisms
As a teenager, I was drawn to gender/women's studies as an option for my undergraduate degree, but as I was not sure about the career options, I chose a "safer" degree in Biology and Education. After 11 years as a biology teacher, I was lucky enough to be able to return to university... Read More →
Our society is facing technological advancement, environmental challenges, and evolving labour market demands. As such, science education is increasingly expected to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to deal with these issues and thrive in an uncertain future. Science teachers are at the forefront of this effort, adapting curricula, pedagogies, and assessment practices to prepare students for a complex and interconnected world.
The panel discussion will explore how the global science teaching workforce is responding to these challenges and opportunities. Drawing on international perspectives, it will examine the ways teachers are fostering critical thinking, real world problem-solving, creativity, scientific literacy, collaboration, inquiry-based learning, sustainability, digital technologies, and adaptability essential for future readiness. This includes highlighting how science educators are empowering learners not only to succeed academically, but also to contribute meaningfully to their communities and address global challenges. The discussion will reflect on the pivotal role of the science teaching profession in shaping resilient, informed, and engaged citizens who are prepared to thrive in the future and help create it.
