Physics key facts

Key facts about the physics enhancement course

Case study

An enhancement course in physics helped Louise Stemp, 25, develop the knowledge she needed to teach across the science curriculum. Now she’s looking to the future.

‘I spent 18 months as a part-time gym coach after I finished my degree in physiology and sports. I knew I wanted to be a science teacher but I didn’t feel I’d got enough life experience. Working in schools taught me a lot about building relationships with children and about the education system.

‘When I went for my PGCE interview, I told them I’d only done physics to GCSE. They suggested an enhancement course at St Martin’s College in Lancaster. It meant commuting from Liverpool but I shared lifts with two other girls and it worked out fine. We ended up becoming really good friends.

‘The course was very varied, with a practical focus – sometimes we’d spend a whole day doing experiments. We also taught each other, which makes you focus on how you’d teach something as well as on learning it yourself. The tutors were great at making us look at things from the pupils’ perspective.

‘Now I’m teaching science to 11-16-year-olds at Corpus Christi Catholic Sports College in Preston. I love it. In my physics lessons, I’ll use a ripple tank to show pupils how waves bend, or take them outside and make them clap to show the difference between the speed of light and the speed of sound. There are so many simple ways to bring the concepts to life.

‘I’m still learning about physics, too. My head of department is a physics teacher so I often go to her. I also sit past papers. It’s all very well reading a revision guide but you’ve got to understand what the children are up against.

‘The most rewarding part of the job is teaching children with special needs. You can really help to raise their self-esteem as well as giving them subject knowledge. I’m working with the school’s SENCO and reading up about the emotional, physical and psychological aspects. That’s where I see my future.’