Science CPD Programme - England (Early Engagement)

Tender description

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to notify the market of a forthcoming opportunity to bid for a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme for those teaching the sciences in primary and secondary schools and further education institutes in England. Interested parties are invited to hear details about this opportunity and share thoughts and questions about the programme. The contract is due to commence in April 2022. The length of the contract will be 17 months, finishing at the end of August 2023. The continued growth of science-related research and industry is a central part of the government's industrial strategy. To support this, and to increase the flow of people into STEM-related careers, it is vital to increase the number of students achieving good grades in the sciences. CPD has a key role to play in the development of a world class education system. Evidence shows that CPD can lead to improved student outcomes by allowing teachers to improve and refine their practice. CPD can also contribute to improved teacher retention, which is vital for maintaining a high quality workforce. In recent years science-specific CPD funded by the Department for Education has been delivered to thousands of teachers and technicians, including those teaching at schools in areas of disadvantage. This has supported participating schools to increase the number of students achieving the science component of EBacc. The new CPD contract will replace three current agreements for science CPD. The intention is that the current offer of a general science network, a specific physics network and a bursary scheme is replicated in the new contract. However, instead of three separate oversight bodies as currently, the new arrangement will be for a single oversight body to oversee all three programmes to help present a clear and easily-navigable offer for teachers to access science-specific CPD from key stage 1 to key stage 5. The Department is seeking a lead provider, consortia or similar entity to deliver the programme according to the following primary objective: To provide high quality science CPD to teachers in primary schools, secondary schools and FE colleges in order to improve the number of students studying science subjects at GCSE and A level and achieving good results. The CPD should support the teaching of a knowledge rich curriculum at primary, secondary and post-16 level. In addition, the programme will have the following related strategic objectives: - To carry out targeted action to address the disadvantage gap in GCSE and A level science by targeting support towards schools with a high percentage of students with free school meals in order to improve outcomes. - To carry out targeted action to improve participation from under-represented groups progressing to A level science. In particular, this should include action to increase the number of females studying A level Physics