4 March 2020
As a Lead School for the Institute of Physics Schools Physics Network, Abingdon School hosted its first ever Regional Continuing Professional Development Day on Saturday 29 February. Over 110 delegates attended from as far afield as Bristol, the New Forest and even Brighton as well as many, familiar faces from our partner schools in the local area. After an excellent, introductory talk from Abingdon’s very own Professor Frank Close on ‘What is Nothing?’ in the Amey Theatre, the delegates were able to choose from up to five parallel workshops run in three consecutive sessions in the Yang Science Centre’s Physics teaching labs, as well as one workshop which included a visit to the Space Science Department at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell. During refreshment and lunch breaks there was an exhibition of lab equipment and teaching resources, again involving familiar, partner organisations such as the Department of Physics at Oxford University.
Commenting on the success of the day, Ally Davies, Head of Programme: Teacher Professional Support at the Institute of Physics, said,
‘It was a pleasure to come to Abingdon on Saturday. Everything seemed to run very smoothly – making sure that happens requires careful preparation, and good liaison between the Institute, the wider team at Abingdon (reception, catering, room bookings, partnership team, technicians etc) and all the team delivering on the day. There was a great range of sessions available; and teachers and technicians were very appreciative of the time, effort and energy that went into preparing and running them.
Overall, the day was an excellent example of how we support teachers and technicians and how we build and nurture the community of physics teachers. I am delighted that so many teachers and technicians were there and benefitted so much on this first IOP Day at Abingdon. Many thanks to all involved.’
