Research into the Institute of Physics’ early career professional learning programme

An important element of the Institute of Physics’ (IOP) education strategy is to support teachers of physics through continuing professional development. As part of this offer, the Early Career Professional Learning Programme was established in 2019, funded by Gatsby, to support teachers of physics in the early years of their careers in secondary schools in England. The IOP’s Early Career Professional Learning Programme included the following opportunities: • videos, webinars and other information-sharing and guidance sessions, designed and led by experts in physics education from universities, schools and other contexts; • discussion groups with peers, led by experienced IOP mentors; • Individualised coaching and mentoring from experienced IOP mentors. Sheffield Hallam University was commissioned by the Gatsby Foundation to carry out a small-scale research study into the IOP’s Early Career Professional Learning Programme. The aim was to gather evidence of the programme’s impact, exploring factors including: • how teachers choose and benefit from different levels of support within the programme; • the nature and outcomes of subject-focussed mentoring and coaching conversations; • the value of learning as a network of peers; • the ways in which this subject-specific professional development complements the Department for Education’s Early Career Framework programme (Department for Education, 2022). This study took place over two years (2020-2022), involving surveys and interviews with programme participants and IOP mentors. In this report we summarise the findings of the study, then offer recommendations arising from the findings for policy makers, school leaders and professional development providers.