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University researchers to teach pupils in government maths drive Maths and physics teaching: PhD graduates to get cash incentive
(about 3 hours later)
University fellows with a PhD in maths or physics are being urged to become school teachers in England to inspire youngsters to study the subjects. University fellows with a PhD in maths or physics are being offered thousands of pounds in extra wages to become school teachers in England.
The experts will be paid salaries of £40,000 under the new government scheme, which will run from September. They will be paid £40,000 a year for two years as teaching trainees. Other postdoctoral teacher trainees start on a minimum salary of £19,000.
The Department for Education (DfE) said the initiative would "build a pipeline" from schools to the world of work. The scheme - for non-selective state schools - aims to get more young people to study the subjects for longer.
But a teachers' union has warned that academics may not necessarily have the skills required to be a good teacher. It will "build a pipeline" from schools to the world of work, minsters say.
A spokeswoman for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) said the experts should be trained as teachers before being allowed to educate children. It follows a warning last summer by recruitment expert Prof John Howson, of Oxford Brookes University, of a shortage of maths and science teachers.
The scheme, which will operate in non-selective state schools, will be joint-funded by the government and businesses including Samsung, GlaxoSmithKline, Barclays and BAE Systems. 'Salary uplifts'
Under it, research fellows will conduct master classes for pupils in networks of schools, set up free online maths and physics resources for schools to use, and teach lessons that stretch more advanced students. The "Maths and Physics Chairs" programme, which will operate in non-selective state schools, will be joint-funded by the government and businesses including Samsung, GlaxoSmithKline, Barclays and BAE Systems.
They will also help pupils secure work experience with companies that are backing the programme. Teachers on the programme will also be paid £40,000 for a third year when they are fully qualified.
Education Minister Elizabeth Truss said recruiting experts in maths and physics would help pave a path for pupils towards a career, thereby boosting the economy. The Department for Education (DfE) said sponsors would provide £75,000 over three years to fund "salary uplifts" and the cost of training and placing applicants in schools.
"Too many teenagers think maths and physics are niche subjects - that couldn't be further from the truth," Ms Truss said. It forms part of the Researchers in Schools training programme for PhD graduates.
Education minister Elizabeth Truss said too many teenagers thought maths and physics were "niche subjects", adding: "That couldn't be further from the truth."
"They open the door to careers in everything from business or journalism to technology or engineering."They open the door to careers in everything from business or journalism to technology or engineering.
"By getting experts into schools we can build a pipeline from GCSE through to A-level and beyond into the world of work - teenagers studying these subjects will go on to underpin a flourishing UK economy," she said."By getting experts into schools we can build a pipeline from GCSE through to A-level and beyond into the world of work - teenagers studying these subjects will go on to underpin a flourishing UK economy," she said.
This follows warnings last year of a shortage in maths and science teachers. 'Champion university'
Researchers also warned in January of a shortage of "core generic skills" in the workforce, while figures from the OECD revealed a UK gender gap in maths, with girls trailing behind boys. The DfE said it would make teaching of the subjects "more inspirational, practical and cutting-edge - transforming the way the subjects are taught in schools in England and inspiring more pupils to study them".
The ATL spokeswoman said the new government moves would be welcome if appointing experts to teach school children produced results. "This will lead to more young people going into highly paid careers using these qualifications," it added.
'Struggling pupils' PhD graduates are trained to become qualified teachers in the first year of the scheme - including through classroom teaching at a teaching school.
But she warned that those taking part in the scheme should have the relevant training first. During the second year they teach a reduced timetable so they can "promote research and champion university access within schools" and can also carry out their own academic research.
"People need to know how to teach kids," she said. As well as teaching at their own school, they will conduct master classes for pupils in networks of schools and set up free online maths and physics resources for schools to use.
"They need to know how children learn and how their brains develop. So they would need those skills. They will be expected to establish links between schools, universities and business.
"There is no point being brilliant at a subject if you are unable to impart your knowledge to children." They will also help pupils to get work experience at the businesses that have sponsored them.
She said the country needed people who were good at enthusing and inspiring pupils, but they needed the ability to understand and communicate with young people first and foremost.
The spokeswoman said this was particularly important with younger children at GCSE level, all of whom have to take maths and physics.
"These experts will be dealing with children across the complete spectrum, including children who really struggle with the subjects," she said.
"Will they be able to do that without proper teacher training behind them?"