Project Enthuse is improving school science
20 October 2009
Project Enthuse was launched in 2008, and provides generous bursaries to science teachers and school technicians so they can attend in-depth residential courses at the National Science Learning Centre in York. To date, 1396 teachers have benefited from the scheme.
Today's report, entitled 'Professional Development in Science Education: Making a difference', analyses for the first time the impact of the entire network of National and Regional Science Learning Centres, which is funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
More than 90 per cent of teachers who attended continuing professional development (CPD) courses at a Science Learning Centre indicated the experience had a significant positive impact on themselves, their school or their pupils, with two-thirds saying they had developed new skills in teaching methods.
The report suggests that science exam grades and the numbers of students opting for post-16 science and triple science GCSE could receive a dramatic boost if more school heads allowed teachers to attend professional development programmes.
Professor John Holman, Director of the National Science Learning Centre, said: "These figures tell a fascinating and extremely important story; they represent hard evidence that a teacher's interest and passion for their subject translates directly into increased student motivation and attainment. We know what the formula is and what a dramatic effect more CPD for science teachers would have. The challenge is to make sure all head teachers are aware of the huge benefits high-quality CPD can have and its transformative effect on students. As a country we simply cannot afford not to make sure our science teachers are the very best they can be."
Sir William Castell, Chairman of the Wellcome Trust, said: "Just a year since its launch, Project Enthuse has already brought about a significant and meaningful change in the standard of science teaching in this country. This will have an immediate effect on young people's engagement and attainment and, in the long term, ensure that nobody feels excluded from technological change or debates about the major scientific issues facing society.
"The professional development courses that Enthuse bursaries pay for are giving teachers very important practical experience of contemporary science and this, more than anything else, will help to reinvigorate science education in the UK."
Every maintained school in the UK can apply for bursaries worth £1800 from Project Enthuse, which cover not only fees, travel and five days' accommodation for individual teachers but also the cost to schools of providing teaching cover, one of the factors that so often stops teachers attending vital development programmes such as these. The courses they pay for cover everything from building confidence in practical work and contemporary science and how science works, to primary science and leadership and management. Professional development leaders, research scientists, education researchers and practising teachers all contribute to the running of the courses.
Susan Anderson, Head of Science at St Marylebone CE School, said: "This is a striking turn around in the provision of training for science teachers. I have sent four teachers and a technician on Enthuse-funded residential courses. The school received these free of charge with all expenses paid. This has made the teachers feel like valued professionals. In the past, the concept of sending teachers on residential courses was completely unheard of."
Project Enthuse is funded for the next four years with £10 million coming from the Government, £10 million from the Wellcome Trust and a further £10 million from industry partners including Vodafone, Rolls-Royce, GlaxoSmithKline, General Electric Foundation, BP, BAE Systems, AstraZeneca and the AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust.
Professor Holman added: "Without the generosity of the Wellcome Trust and our nine industry partners, as well as the backing of the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Project Enthuse would never have been possible. Our industry partners realise the importance of science education to their futures and I would like to thank all our funders for their support."
