The new Science Additional Specialism Programme (SASP) enables teachers without a physics or chemistry degree or a secondary initial teacher training (ITT) specialism in physics or chemistry, to teach these subjects more effectively.
The course is designed to develop participants’ subject and pedagogical knowledge and help them teach physics or chemistry to learners aged 11-19 with more confidence, expertise and enthusiasm.
The course is free for participants and the TDA will fund supply cover for participating schools. Teachers meeting eligibility criteria (including the achievement of 40 credits at H level) will receive a £5,000 incentive on completion of their course.
The course structure and length is flexible and reflects the needs of the individual participants. It comprises a mix of face-to-face tuition and in-school development, and runs for up to 40 days, spread over an intensive summer start and the following academic year. The course offers academic accreditation at honours level, with the option of taking some masters level credits.
The SASP was developed by the TDA in close consultation with the science community. It has been successfully piloted in three regions over the last two years and is now available across England.
For more information on the courses and to apply for a place, please contact your nearest course provider.
Read about Jane Hayes' experiences of the programme.
Am I eligible to apply?
Applicants must:
- be teaching physics or chemistry to learners aged 11-19 in schools
- have qualified teacher status
- have completed their induction year
- be teaching in a maintained secondary (or middle deemed secondary) school, maintained or non-maintained special school, or academy
Applicants must not:
- be graduates of physics or chemistry
- have a secondary ITT specialism in physics or chemistry
Notice for local authorities
Local authorities who have made incentive payments to participants’ schools can claim reimbursement by completing and returning a claim form (Excel 30 KB). Local authorities should not send participants’ application forms to the TDA, but need to retain all application forms for this incentive (and related claims), as they may be subject to a TDA audit at any time.
Participants on the pilot programme
Participants on the pilot programme can find out more about the financial incentive. They should use the pilot claim form (Excel, 30 KB) for reimbursement.
