The Vision: Teachers have high professional status and there is a strong supply of science and mathematics specialists.
Teachers have a crucial role to play. Ensuring the UK has an adequate supply of science and mathematics teachers is dependent on supporting professionalism in teaching and raising its status.
The UK’s capacity to offer a high quality science and mathematics education to all young people is hampered by a shortage of suitably qualified teachers.
Too few primary and secondary school teachers hold degrees in mathematics and science, but these subjects are best taught by those who have chosen to specialise in them.
Courses to prepare new teachers should develop subject knowledge and a deep understanding of how to teach effectively. All teachers should commit to ongoing, career-long professional development.
Teaching is not a craft that can be learnt simply by on-the-job training. Rather it is a profession demanding of specialist knowledge and skills. Inspirational teaching begins with teachers with passion for their subject.
A comprehensive review (PDF) of teachers’ confidence in delivering the new computing curriculum has been published.
The Royal Society's Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education produced a snapshot (PDF) on key issues in maths teacher supply.
Braided Careers case studies (PDF) have highlighted four ways of encouraging flexibility within the teaching profession.
The Royal Society has commissioned a set of twelve case studies looking at national teacher training systems for science teachers.