Careers CPD
The aim was to create a one-day careers workshop to be run in each of the three pilot areas bringing together subject and careers teachers to improve their understanding of the advantages that choosing physics would bring to many students in terms of career choice. This understanding is currently poor because most science teachers don't have a physics background and most careers teachers don’t have a background in science.
Progress
Three one-day workshops have taken place in which we tried a number of activities and presentations. CRAC have used the feedback from these to develop a shorter version to run in schools next year. This will be an afternoon session and will give us a better idea of how we can fit the whole workshop into a twilight event. The first two workshops went well. As expected, we found that, in each there were physics teachers who had never met the careers adviser for their school. Having worked together during the day, they both left planning to set aside time to work together. It was encouraging that the Connexions advisers were receptive and interested in the content of the workshops. They all reported that they had found the days useful for their work.
During 2008/9 Local Coordinators will take this out to more of the pilot schools. The aim is to ensure that personnel have the confidence and ability to promote physics related careers appropriately. CRAC would develop a framework within which the regional support would be given and would train the Regional Officers.