Lords Committee Examines UK Physics Teacher Shortage

From 11:15am on Tuesday 13 January, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will hold a one-off evidence session to explore the shortage of specialist physics teachers in the UK and what can be done to address the shortage.      

From approx. 11:15am the Committee will hear from: 

• Hari Rentala, Associate Director of Education and Workforce, Institute of Physics   

• Jenni French, Head of STEM in Schools at the Gatsby Foundation 

The public evidence session will take place in Committee Room 3, Palace of Westminster on Tuesday 13 January 2026 and can be viewed live on parliamentlive.tv. 

Topics likely to be covered include: 

• The need for physics teachers 

• The state of the physics teacher shortage in the UK  

• Recruitment and initial teacher training  

• Retention of specialist teachers 

• Solutions: bursaries, pay 

• International recruitment of specialist teachers.