COURSE TO RECRUIT MORE PHYSICS TEACHERS

7th January 2004

COURSE TO RECRUIT MORE PHYSICS TEACHERS

Edge Hill College of Higher Education is one of a consortium of colleges to offer a new course to encourage more people to train as secondary physics and science teachers.

Edge Hill, Manchester Metropolitan University and St Martins College are offering the Physics Enhancement course, one of two national pilot schemes, delivered on behalf of the Teacher Training Agency, in a bid to encourage graduates to gain a deeper knowledge of physics before they take up teacher training.

Candidates will receive a bursary worth £150 a week while they are on the six month course, that starts late January, and some may be eligible for financial help whilst they train in their first years of teaching.

Matt Chessher is Senior Lecturer in Physics at Edge Hill, he said: "There are not enough people studying physics at higher levels and this has resulted in a shortage of specialist teachers. Many people are discouraged from applying to train as science teachers as they lack confidence in some science subjects. This course is ideal for those who have enough science in their degree to make them eligible to take up a PGCE but have insufficient knowledge and understanding of physics."

The Physics Enhancement course is offered to those who intend to follow an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme on completion.

Most of the sessions take place at St Martin?s College in Lancaster, and participants may also spend time studying at Edge Hill, offering candidates the chance to experience teaching and learning facilities at the Ormskirk Campus, where they can then go on to study the PGCE in Science.

Further enquiries should be made to Matt Chessher on 01695 584450 or e mail chessm@edgehill.ac.uk ends EDITOR?S NOTES: For further press information please contact: Roisin Rowley-Smith PR Manager Tel: 01695 584509 Fax: 01695 584355 E mail: rowlesr@edgehill.ac.uk or pressoffice@edgehill.ac.uk.