Education
Everyone deserves an engaging, relevant, and inspiring chemistry education
We want an excellent chemistry education to be available to all, driving greater diversity and improving skills in the chemical sciences.
To help achieve this we advocate for an unbroken chain of subject experts teaching students throughout their education, along with entitlement and access to high quality subject-specific professional development for teachers throughout their careers.
We also work to influence decision makers so that vocational and academic chemistry curricula, assessments and qualifications are accessible, and inclusive and encourage the development of relevant knowledge and skills.
On this page
Changing education policy
We are working to change policy in areas including, but not limited to, the curriculum, qualification routes, practical work and recruitment and retention of expert teachers.
We also look to influence education policy as part of the .
Our research and reports for the areas below provide expert information and gathered evidence in order to keep policy makers and the public informed and up to date on current education issues.
We respond to consultations from government and government agencies on behalf of the chemical sciences community. Our evidence-based responses often draw on established policy positions, with the aim of influencing government and other decision makers to do things that are right for chemistry education.
Our evidence-based policy positions outline our vision for chemistry education across the UK. They are informed by research and conversations with experts, teachers and the wider community.
Across the UK and Ireland, we want chemistry curricula and the way they are assessed to be accessible, inclusive and encourage the development of relevant knowledge and skills. This will empower young people to be scientifically informed members of society and prepare them for further study in the chemical sciences.
From ensuring every child has access to practical work to embedding sustainability and climate change into curricula, we want every child to feel like science is for them.
Up to the age of sixteen we believe there should be equitable educational pathways that do not limit progression in the sciences. We advocate for the removal of gatekeeping practices and ensuring all young people can feel like science is for people like them. Alongside this, we want to ensure students and teachers understand the wide range of careers and opportunities available to them.
Young people need a range of academic and vocational options at level 3 and above which equip them with the core chemistry knowledge and skills that are understood and valued by employers. We advocate for these routes to be accessible and inclusive, providing opportunity for all.
We are campaigning to ensure teachers and technicians have the resources, skills, expertise and motivation so that all students have access to an excellent chemistry education.
Key parts of this include addressing the teacher and technician recruitment and retention crisis with long-term solutions that can withstand population and economic fluctuations, while also investing in effective professional development for teachers.
Our campaigns
Read more about what we’re doing to achieve our goals through our campaigns. Elsewhere on this page and around our website you will find reports, policy positions, responses to government and other influencing work.
Is chemistry accessible for all?
A five-year outreach study to understand barriers to participation in post-16 UK chemistry education by students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Shaping the future of chemistry in higher education
Addressing the financial sustainability challenges in UK universities
Sustainability in the chemistry curriculum
Read our recommendations for a fit-for-purpose sustainability curriculum for chemistry education.
The elements of a successful chemistry curriculum
Our vision for 11-19 chemistry education.
The Science Teaching Survey 2024
Revealing the insights and challenges of secondary teachers and technicians in the UK and Ireland.
The Science Teaching Survey 2025
Our findings reveal that greater support is needed for our science educators.
Our opinion pieces
See all our opinion pieces
Our response to England’s curriculum and assessment review
05 November 2025
Making the Case for 91AV: update on our skills and research policy work
23 May 2025
Interim findings of an independent review of the curriculum
18 March 2025
91AV education needs new stories and examples
26 February 2025
Recognising the importance of higher education
31 January 2025
Current issues facing higher education
19 November 2024
Recent news and activities
91AV departments driving more sustainable research
18 May 2026
Real‑world chemistry key to better sustainability education
28 April 2026
Egg‑citing chemistry experiments for families this Easter
01 April 2026
New book aiming to make chemistry education more inclusive
30 March 2026
2025 Education Prize winners announced
18 November 2025
Our response to England’s curriculum and assessment review
05 November 2025
University gives A-Level students chemistry confidence boost
30 September 2025
Get involved
Our member community
Opportunities for members to connect with others in our community, to suit your situation or career.
Teacher training scholarships
Funding talented individuals entering chemistry teacher training in England.
Education
Resources to support and inspire future generations of scientists around the world.
Technician Skills Development Grant
Supports technicians to undertake short to mid-term visits to organisations with the aim of developing skills to support their career progression.
Technician Travel and Training Grant
Supporting technicians working in all sectors to participate in activities such as conferences, training courses and networking events.
Our prizes
Recognising excellence in the chemical sciences.
A dedicated education website
Our education website brings together all our online support for chemistry teaching in one place.
Featured resources from our education website
Related pages
The Science Teaching Survey 2025
Our findings reveal that greater support is needed for our science educators.
Science culture
Our wide-ranging work to make chemistry more welcoming to everyone.
Policy library
Search and browse our reports, our responses to and position on government policy, evidence and helpful guides