At the recent annual conference of HMC member (Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference) our advisor, trainer and former trustee Christina Astin led workshops about cross-sector partnerships. She knows from her extensive work in this area how many independent schools want to team up with their local state schools but are unsure of how to get started. Christina advocates the use of third-party organisations to overcome the barrier of perception that might exist, and to facilitate the start-up of partnership projects.
Christina takes up the story:
- Does your school have experienced, specialist physics teachers?
- Would you like to be able to share that expertise with teachers from local schools?
- Would you like our help to do so
If you answer YES! to all three questions, please read on…
The crisis in physics education is well-known with most GCSE physics lessons being delivered by non-specialists. Physics Partners has demonstrated significant impact on classroom practice by boosting teacher knowledge and confidence through its training programmes.
Physics Partners is looking to collaborate with a small number of schools (either independent or state) who, with its help, would like to establish a physics teaching partnership with local schools. Partner schools will be invited to host a Physics Partners Training Hub using their experienced physics teachers to train non-specialist or early-career teachers from local schools.
High-Impact, Ready-Made Project
Many schools are looking to build or strengthen existing relationships with nearby schools, but are shy about making that first approach. Well, Physics Partners can help make the first move and take the administrative burden from them. It’s a high-impact, ready made project. The charity will even produce regular impact reports for Training Hub schools to demonstrate the effect that the training is having – it’s likely to be considerable!
Some schools are lucky enough to have excellent physics teaching provision and are conscious that, as a shortage subject, they would like to share their expertise with others. The good news is that trainers from Physics Partners can help to coach your staff and support their professional development by becoming physics teacher trainers – and this development can help with retention. Trainers will have access to the network of exert trainers at Physics Partners and all the shared resources that the team has built up.
“Admin, Professional Development and Resources”
Because of the investment, Training Hub schools are asked to commit to hosting a minimum of 3 workshops each academic year for a minimum of 3 schools for 3 years, supporting subject knowledge and confidence in teaching physics, especially in practical teaching: the “33 model”.
Physics Partners CEO Bryan Berry is standing by ready to have a no-obligation chat with interested schools: bryan.berry@physicspartners.com. There’s no cost to participating schools and a whole lot of potential benefit.
Ultimately, it’s about raising standards in physics education to benefit the next generation.
For more information download this flyer.