In our survey, nearly a third (30%) of mainstream state schools in the UK and Ireland report teacher understaffing in chemistry. An even higher proportion of schools report understaffing of science technicians and physics teachers. In Northern Ireland, over 60% of schools report a shortage of technicians. In England, Wales and Scotland, it is over 40%.
There are inequalities in staffing between school types
State selective and independent schools were less likely to report understaffing:
Schools with a lower percentage of free school meals (FSM) eligibility were less likely to report understaffing
Please note: Free school meal percentage data is not available in Ireland; therefore, these comparisons apply to our respondents from GB and Northern Ireland. We looked at the data using other breakdowns of FSM percentages (20% and 30%) and didn't find any statistically significant difference in the data.
Difficulties in filling positions for chemistry and physics
Interviewees spoke of their difficulties in filling positions for chemistry and physics, particularly for schools in England. In response, some schools were now advertising for ‘science teachers’ rather than within the specific sciences in the hope of encouraging more applicants.
What we are doing
We will continue to champion and support science teaching and technician careers through our policy work and a range of programmes.
Our policy work advocates for high-quality subject-specific professional development for teachers throughout their careers so that students have an unbroken chain of subject experts teaching them throughout their education.
We provide high quality support for teachers and science technicians through Teach Chemistry. This free service for secondary schools and colleges includes access to sustained professional development courses, a well-being toolkit for science leaders and regular ideas and inspiration through Education in Chemistry magazine.
We support the development of student teachers, building their confidence in chemistry during their training year. This includes delivery of the DfE’s Scholarship scheme for chemistry teachers in England, as well as regional support by our Education Coordinators through their visits to teacher training providers.
Explore more headline findings from the survey
Related links
The Science Technician Workforce in English Secondary Schools (2020) report
New insight into the school science technician workforce
Education website
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Related pages
- The Science Teaching Survey 2023
- The elements of a successful curriculum - our vision for 11-19 chemistry education
- New insights into the school science technician workforce
- Teacher training during the pandemic and the long-term impact on practical work in schools
- Higher technical education - research provides new insight into the needs of learners, providers and employers
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- See all our chemistry education policy
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