Welsh Physics Teachers Conference Brecon

Are your pupils smarter than a Stone Age engineer? Helen Mulley investigates in this episode of Teachwire Talks, alongside Jennifer Wexler from English Heritage  and maths communicator Thomas K Briggs. Together, they unpack how Stonehenge was constructed and precisely aligned to the solstices, revealing extraordinary ancient engineering and maths. They also chat about how these prehistoric problems can spark powerful STEM learning in today’s classrooms. Find out how you can bring prehistory to life with a school visit to Stonehenge . About the guests Jennifer Wexler  is the historian of prehistoric sites at English Heritage, and former project curator on the Grave Goods Project and World of Stonehenge Exhibition at the British Museum. Her research interests include archaeological and mortuary landscapes, digital heritage, forgotten histories, and the public presentation of archaeology. Thomas K Briggs  is a learning and education consultant for museums, galleries, libraries and archives, in the heritage sector and beyond. He is the author of  The Mathematician’s Library , about the books that unlocked the power of number, and has also set up the  History and Mathematics in Education Network  (HaMiEN) to encourage and facilitate connections between people interested in history and maths.

Episode Date: Thursday 26th March 2026 Science is one of the most critical subject areas in post-16 education, feeding directly into healthcare, engineering, laboratory sciences and dozens of other STEM careers. But as large applied qualifications are phased out, many colleges are asking the same question: what does strong Level 3 science provision actually look like from here? In Episode Three of Defunded, Not Derailed, we turn from the broader curriculum picture to a specific subject area that affects thousands of learners every year. What qualification options are currently available to colleges? How can science departments maintain clear progression routes into university and technical careers? And what might the introduction of V Levels, starting with digital, education and finance from 2027, signal for science-related curriculum planning down the line? Gavin O'Meara is joined by Amy Brewer, Science Subject Advisor at Cambridge OCR, Catherine Walls, Curriculum Manager for Science at Derby College, and Matt Ridgill, Vice Principal: Academic Education at Derby College, to explore how science specialists are navigating reform on the ground and what curriculum leaders should be considering now. Defunded Not Derailed was produced by FE News in partnership with Cambridge OCR.

Two‑day educational conference bringing together leaders from UK schools and trusts to explore inclusive practice, leadership, collaboration and holistic learning approaches in education. After a brilliant Summer Conference at the University of Warwick in 2025, bringing together 1,000 leaders from across the UK and beyond, we’re delighted to be returning to University of Warwick on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th July for our Summer Conference 2026.