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Peter Fairhurst

Biography

I joined the Department of Education in January 2018 as part of the University of York Science Education Group (UYSEG). Previously, I taught Science and Physics in England and also in South America. Over 28 years of teaching, mainly in leadership roles, I have gained a large amount of hands on experience in developing and improving science curriculum in schools, and in leading imposed curriculum change. I have a passion for developing high quality, research informed, resource materials and schemes of learning. I have a degree in Physics, and a PGCE in Secondary Science (Physics), from the University of Bristol, and a Masters degree in Curriculum Development in Science Education, from the University of Leeds.

Career

I have taught in secondary schools in Barnsley, Guyana, Harrogate, Tadcaster and York. I have had leadership roles for Special Educational Needs, Physics (11-19), KS3 Science, and for fifteen years I led a large and successful school science department in York.

Departmental roles

I am currently the lead physicist for a large, research informed curriculum development project: Best Evidence Science Teaching (BEST). This project focuses on improving engagement, developing scientific literacy and the effective use of formative assessment to identify and resolve student misconceptions.

Contact details

D/K/125a
Department of Education
University of York
York
YO10 5DD

Tel: +44 (0)1904 324537