Institute of Physics response to the government’s interim curriculum review

Responding to the government’s independent Curriculum and Assessment Review interim report released today, Louis Barson, IOP Director of Science, Innovation and Skills, said: “More than 90% of teachers we surveyed told us the physics curriculum is overloaded. The assessment system also drives too much focus on rote learning rather than deep and meaningful experiences of the wonder of physics and its ability to explain the world around us. 

“And the current approach to structuring multiple different pathways through the sciences at GCSE compounds the disadvantage faced by certain groups of young people already facing socioeconomic disadvantage.

“As a result, too many young people are put off, or denied, the opportunity to study physics and physics-related pathways post-16, harming their life chances and holding back our economy. This review is a once in a generation opportunity to tackle these issues.

“We welcome that this interim report recognises some of the system-wide challenges and sets out high-level ambitions for a refreshed national curriculum. However, we are disappointed to see so little focus on how these issues affect some individual subjects including within the sciences.

“We call on the review panel to ensure that these issues are tackled at a subject level in the next phase and stand ready to bring the voice of the physics and physics education communities together to help inform the final recommendations.”