Physics and other hard subjects are far too important to be abandoned as lost causes.
John Humphreys, Broadcaster
Testimonials
Pearson are acutely aware of the problems surrounding physics - and, together with MIT in the United States, we have produced some innovative self access materials to address the problem there. We applaud this important experiment and are delighted to be involved with the pilot schemes.
Sir David Bell, Director of Pearson and Chairman of the Financial Times
The Physics Factory is exactly the sort of grass roots initiative we want to encourage. It harnesses the enthusiasm and ability of physics teachers, and it holds out the prospect of a better understanding of physics amongst students that our country so badly needs.
Nick Gibb MP, Shadow Minister for Schools
An idea like The Physics Factory is long overdue. It is a bold and innovative way of focusing the limited but precious resources available for physics teaching in order to ignite the flame of scientific curiosity in the next generation of students. Without an increase in the numbers of students studying physics, I genuinely fear or the future of our economy. The Physics Factory deserves and has my strongest possible support.
Brian Cox, Professor of Particle Physics Manchester University
Students in schools need to see physics as relevant to their own lives and potentially offering them a future career direction rather than simply a collection of facts to be learnt and regurgitated for exams. A Physics Factory can fill that gap.
Professor Averil Macdonald, Professor of Science Engagement, University of Reading
Developing the Physics Factory at Graveney is already part of our strategy for Building Schools for the Future and is a key component of our plans to strengthen our offer at A-level. We relish the opportunity to expand our capacity and become a lead player in the project to revitalise physics teaching nationally.
Graham Stapleton, Principal, Graveney School
The Institute supports the Physics Factory because it represents an exciting and innovative experiment in attracting more students to study physics in the short term and in the long term developing good teachers which is the key to ensuring the future of physics in schools.
Dr Robert Kirby-Harris, Chief Executive of the Institute of Physics
The Physics Factory Project is an imaginative and innovative concept for addressing the current shortage of specialist physics teachers in many schools. We now need it piloted over two to three years to see if it works. I hope it does.
Lord Rees, Astronomer Royal and President of the Royal Society
for us... this is the right idea at the right time... We are keen to share our expertise. We have the space and motivation, and have already overcome most of the logistical problems inherent in getting neighbouring schools to co-operate. We work hand in glove with these schools and believe we can make a real difference to the perceptions children have of physics.
David Wheeldon, Headmaster, King Edward VI Five Ways School, Birmingham
Like so many science departments around the country, we have Biologists teaching Physics! It looks like the Physics factory will go a long way towards improving our situation. My staff have returned from training enthused, more confident and armed with lots of 'tricks' to enhance teaching and learning. Not only have they praised the quality of the training they received but they also had a lot of fun!
Paul Coley, Head of Science, George Dixon International School
At Newman University College we are very excited to be working with the Physics Factory on the delivery of our Physics subject enhancement course. We are looking forward to developing a close working relationship with the physics factory as we continue to strengthen our science teacher training provision.
Adrian Warhurst, Senior Lecturer in Science Education, Newman University College
I never dreamt that the Today programme I presented from The Royal Society some 30 months ago would have spawned the Physics Factory movement. This grass roots initiative that excites both teachers and children is exactly what we need to counter the drift to soft subjects. Physics and other 'hard' subjects are far too important to be abandoned as lost causes. The Physics Factories deserve to succeed and deserve our support: financial and, dare I say it, political.