Thank you for your interest in hosting a Physics Partners Hub.
Physics Partners is a charity dedicated to supporting the growing need for confident and capable Science teachers who can deliver high-quality Physics education at GCSE and A-level. Many of the teachers we work with are Early Career Teachers (ECTs) or non-specialists, and our mission is to equip them with the skills and confidence to teach Physics effectively.
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, most Physics Partners hub services are provided free of charge to participants.
How Our Programme Works
Our programme is delivered through regional hubs, with 90-minute sessions held each half term at host venues that are easily accessible to participating teachers. Hubs are initiated by a variety of stakeholders – multi-academy trusts, university education departments, forward-thinking schools, or motivated teachers with strong local networks.
In our experience, successful hubs rely on three key contributors working in partnership:
- A host school with a dedicated point of contact.
- A Physics Partners coach.
- The Physics Partners central team, providing administrative and strategic support.
We set high standards for hub delivery, outlined in our Hub Memorandum of Understanding, which details 18 essential features of effective hub operation. Responsibilities are shared among the host, coach, and central team, and agreed upon through an online discussion.
Key Considerations Before Applying
Before we outline the process for becoming a hub, please note two important criteria:
- We look for a minimum regular attendance of 10 or more teachers and technicians from local schools. During initial discussions, you’ll need to demonstrate sufficient demand for our services.
- Some of our funding is location-specific, so hubs can only be established in our priority areas and/or areas where we have the financial resources to support delivery.
Becoming a Physics Partners Hub: Step-by-Step
- Initial Enquiry
Email info@physicspartners.com to express your interest. We’ll then arrange an initial conversation to explore the potential for a hub in your area.
- Review & Matching
We’ll review if the proposed new hub has potential, based on:
- Existing hub provision in your region
- Strength of local school and teacher networks
- Commitment from a host school
- Evidence of demand
- Availability of coaches in the region
- Funding availability
- Local Online Consultation
We’ll conduct an online consultation with schools in your area to gauge interest, preferred hub locations, session timings, and topic themes.
- Onboarding
A three-way conversation between the host school, coach, and central Physics Partners team will be held to finalise the Memorandum of Understanding.
- Launch & Promotion
Once location, themes, dates, and times are agreed, we’ll advertise the sessions on our website. The coach and key contact will also promote them within their networks.
- Ongoing Hub Development
Hubs are supported and refined through:
- Observation of an early session by our Director of Education
- Analysis of participant feedback
- Continued dialogue with the central team
- Annual self-assessment against our 18 hub features, followed by a review meeting with the Director of Education