Overview

• About 58% of GCSE physics lessons are delivered by teachers without post‑18 physics training, according to IoP analysis of NFER and government data.
• Students taught without a specialist are about half as likely to progress to A‑level physics, costing more than 12,000 entrants and leaving over 300 schools with none.
• Disadvantage drives unequal access, with only about 4% of students in the lowest socioeconomic quintile taking A‑level physics versus roughly 11% in the highest, and top schools attracting most specialists.
• The system is short of around 3,500 specialist physics teachers, reflecting decades of missed recruitment targets and attrition, with 44% of new physics teachers leaving within five years.
• The government points to incentives and recent gains, including £29,000 trainee bursaries, up to £6,000 retention payments in disadvantaged schools, a 25% rise in STEM training acceptances, more teachers in classrooms this year, and pay awards near 10% over two years.