Funding boost for science teacher training

Scheme will receive £22 million from the government, charity and industry over the next five years

A scheme which provide professional development for science teachers and technicians has received a renewed commitment of funding.

Launched in 2008 with £27 million backing from the government, charity and industry, project Enthuse has now secured a further £22 million of funding over the next five years from the Department for Education, the Wellcome Trust, BAE Systems, BP, Rolls-Royce, and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

The project has already provided over 17,000 bursaries for science teachers and technicians to participate in professional development courses delivered by the National Science Learning Centre in York.

Schools minister, David Laws, said: “Project Enthuse is a brilliant scheme which supports science teachers in the delivery of more effective, innovative and engaging lessons that inspire young people. Excellent teaching raises standards in schools and narrows the achievement gap.”

Since the launch of the project the number of UK students entries in each science GCSE has more than doubled, from 86,000 to 174,000 in biology, 77,000 to 166,000 in chemistry, and 75,000 to 161,000 in physics. Over the same period the number of A-level entries has increased from 56,000 to 64,000 in biology, 42,000 to 52,000 in chemistry and 28,000 to 36,000 in physics.

Chairman of the Wellcome Trust, Sir William Castell, said: "The key to the continued rise in the numbers of pupils taking sciences at GCSE and A-level is surely professional development for teachers and technicians, in which Enthuse has played a major part. I am delighted that we are able to commit further support."

BP's regional group vice president for Europe, Peter Mather, commented: "Enthuse has proved a major success in helping young people to succeed in school. It is good for our industry and for the country to have more young people with STEM skills."
 
Chief executive for Rolls-Royce, John Rishton, added: "Britain urgently needs more engineering and science graduates, and effective STEM teaching in school is where that journey begins."