Â鶹AV

For the past three years, The Science Teaching Survey has tracked the trends and challenges facing secondary and further education science teachers.

The survey enables us to monitor changes in critical areas like staffing and professional development. We also explore current topics in education: this year, we asked teachers about artificial intelligence and how they use it in their work.

Download the full data set for all of the comparative data

We are deeply grateful to the 1,846 science teachers and technicians who shared their experiences with us in 2024.

Within the survey findings, you’ll find links to resources that will support you in your teaching, like our free professional development courses.

Explore the headline findings

The top issues impacting student learning outcomes Not enough non-contact time An overloaded curriculum Insufficient school funding

Concerning trends in working conditions and staffing levels Understaffing increases across all subjects Sufficient professional development declines Technician wellbeing declines

44% of teachers have used AI, but workload remains unchanged

1 in 5 teachers lack awareness of essential skills for chemical science careers

About the 2024 survey

The survey is led by the Â鶹AV and supported by the Institute of Physics (IOP) and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). 

Science teachers and technicians in secondary and further education (FE) completed the survey in April 2024.

Here is the breakdown of survey participants by nation and job role:

Teachers feel they’re able to make a difference

We asked teachers whether they felt able to make an impact on young people’s lives through their teaching:

94% of science teachers recognise the impact they have on students