Promoting physics at A-level and beyondLAMPTON SCHOOL

Jess Hamer

Lampton School• 11-18 mixed Academy in Hounslow• “National Teaching School” status• Physics, Biology and Chemistry A-level offered• Above national average numbers of students with

English as an additional language• 67% A*-C including English and Maths• Over 90% of 6th form continue to study at university• Problem of high achievement low aspiration

Working with the

• Cambridge Chemistry Challenge• Science Challenge Day - Queen Mary’s• IOP Roadshow• Queen Mary’s/SEPnet rollercoaster workshop• Hosted RI Lecture Series• I’m a Scientist- Get me out of Here!• Particle detector project with University of Surrey• Go4SET• University of Southampton astrodome• Lectures and visits from individuals (Stemnet & others)• Chemnet Ambassador• Visits to Imperial/RHUL/Rutherford Appleton Labs, Centre of

the Cell, Sangar etc.• Science career speed-dating• STEM challenges

1. Numbers taking physics post-16 have almost doubled

2. Initial figures for this year suggest a significant increase in numbers continuing on to study STEM subjects at university

3. Physics results at GCSE and A-level are now in line with other science subjects

4. The profile of physics has been raised throughout the school

IMPACT

Visiting Universities

Drawbacks• Cost of covering teachers• Pupils missing lessons• Staff missing lessons• Journey time• Can be logistically

difficult• Often only small groups

of pupils involved• Paperwork

Benefits• Pupils get to

“experience” university• Most enrichment

opportunities are university-based

• Learning skills away from the classroom

• Rewarding for pupils

Bringing university to school!

I’m a Scientist WorkshopsLectures

• UCL• University of Westminster• Surrey University• RHUL• University of Liverpool• St Georges

OUTCOME• Pupils were enthused • Pupils made aware of the

range of physics-related subjects at university

• Face to face contact with university students

• Learning about university and inspired pupils to be ambitious

• Not teacher-led

• Many pupils had access• Fairly easy to organise

thanks to outreach staff at universities

• University students gained valuable skills and experience (and apparently enjoyed it!)

• Promoted university/subject area