Chemistry education policy, evidence and campaigns
Everyone deserves an engaging, relevant, and inspiring chemistry education
We want an excellent chemistry education to be available to all, driving greater diversity and improving skills in the chemical sciences.
To help achieve this we advocate for an unbroken chain of subject experts teaching students throughout their education, along with entitlement and access to high quality subject-specific professional development for teachers throughout their careers.
We also work to influence decision makers so that vocational and academic chemistry curricula, assessments and qualifications are accessible, and inclusive and encourage the development of relevant knowledge and skills.
Read more about what we’re doing to achieve these goals in our reports, policy positions, responses to government and other influencing work.
Our surveys and reports
The Science Teaching Survey 2023: findings and actions we can take
The Science Teaching Survey in the UK and Ireland examines the experiences of science teachers and technicians in secondary and further education. In 2023, the survey received 2,932 responses from across the UK’s devolved nations and the Republic of Ireland.
The elements of a successful chemistry curriculum
Everyone is entitled to a chemistry education that is engaging and inspiring, and that will equip them with the skills to pursue the study of chemical sciences at higher levels. This report presents an overview of our curriculum framework for ages 11-19.
A sustainable chemistry curriculum for a sustainable planet
In order to determine the best curriculum, we asked young people, educators, and chemists working in academia and industry across the UK and Ireland what they think of the way climate change and sustainability are currently taught in science and chemistry lessons.
The Science Teaching Survey 2022: findings and actions we can take
Our annual survey helps us to understand the experiences of science educators and informs our support programmes. We received 3,742 responses from teachers and technicians from over 2,000 secondary schools in the UK and Ireland. Read the key findings and how we plan to drive positive change in education.
The future of practical science lessons
We conducted a survey in the UK in April 2021. The responses provided insights into the impact of COVID-19 on teacher training which are cause for concern. In this report, we raise the potential long-term impact of the lost learning opportunities for trainee and first year teachers.
Opportunities in higher technical education
Our new research shows that the higher technical education landscape offers opportunities to secure a pipeline of skilled future scientists and technicians. We looked at applied and technical qualifications at levels above post-16 qualifications, but below the full undergraduate level.
The science technician workforce
The level of science technician support in schools is falling and school science technicians are often overlooked as a profession. Our research explores the characteristics, pay and contractual arrangements of the school science technician workforce. Read our recommendations.