Science CPD Programme - England

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 a market engagement event on 15 February 2023 to hear details about this opportunity and share thoughts and questions about the programme.

The contract is due to commence in September 2024. We are considering the term of the contract will be between 3-5 years.

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 is a re-procurement of the current science CPD programme - England contract which offers a general science network, a specific physics network and a bursary scheme There is currently a single oversight body which helps present a clear and easily navigable offer for teachers to access science-specific CPD from key stage 1 to key stage 5.

The scope of this re-procurement may be flexed up to include digital components for a teacher/pupil facing online platform.

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.
• To deliver targeted support to primary science and senior leaders in delivering a knowledge-rich curriculum in order to improve engagement in primary science and to maximise the quality of training that science leaders deliver in turn to their colleagues.
• To improve teacher retention by supporting teachers to confidently deliver a knowledge-rich curriculum in the science subjects they teach.

Indicative Dates for Procurement:

Subject to internal clearances, we intend to publish the Invitation to Tender around August 2023. Contract award will take place around October 2023 with contract commencement in September 2024. Further detailed information on the procurement process will be provided in the Invitation to Tender documents.

The Department is managing this Procurement based upon the ‘Open’ tendering procedure as defined by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Regulation 27). Additional information: The Department for Education is seeking a lead provider or consortia or similar entity to deliver Science CPD from 2024. Potential Suppliers are invited to attend our Market Engagement Event. Please register your interest here: education.app.jaggaer.com ↗

The purpose of the event is to share our thoughts and seek the input and expertise from the sector, to help develop our requirements for