The Science Teaching Survey

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

Good working conditions include factors like a manageable workload, a healthy work-life balance and access to suitable professional development.

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

In the 2024 survey, we asked teachers whether they had ever used artificial intelligence (AI)* within their teaching role.

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

Chemistry education to be aligned with the demands of employers and the UK economy.

About the 2024 survey

The survey is led by the Royal Society of Chemistry 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:

Click on a nation to view its key findings from The Science Teaching Survey 2024. Percentages do not add up to 100% due to rounding.

7%

Other staff member with science teaching responsibilities (e.g senior leadership team)

2%

FE lecturer of science

14%

Science technician

32%

Head of department

46%

Classroom teacher

Of these...

72%

report an overloaded curriculum

44%

of teachers have used AI

1 in 5

teachers lack awareness of essential skills for chemical science careers

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

"It is still a great job after all the years. Most young people are fabulous."
Classroom teacher, Scotland

"A lot of pupils within the school have come from deprived backgrounds, so helping build cultural capital through science gives them the knowledge to understand and comprehend situations so they can make informed decisions."
Classroom teacher, Northern Ireland

"If I didn't believe (that I’m making an impact on young people’s lives), it would be an impossible job to do!"
Classroom teacher, England

Surveys from previous years