Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project A-level in Physical Sciences

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0100 KCLCA CNU/ALPS
Held at	: King's College London College Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/library/archivespec/ ›
Full title	: Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project A-level in Physical Sciences
Date(s)	: 1955-1974
Level of description	: Sub-fonds of Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project View parent record
Extent	: 45 boxes, 1 file
Name of creator(s)	: Chelsea College | Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project | A-level in Physical Sciences
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Nuffield Foundation A-level Physical Science course was planned as an alternative to sixth-form physics and chemistry. The exercise was initiated in 1965 under the control of the Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project and was organised by Dr John E Spice, Senior Chemistry Master at Winchester College. The first meeting of the Physical Sciences Group with physicists and chemists from the trials schools to discuss the content of the course and form of examination was held in March 1966. Members of the Group, who worked part-time, were responsible for planning and writing the course. The course began in sixteen 'trials schools' (Atlantic College; Bletchley Grammar School; Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School; Cardinal Hinsley Grammar School in Bradford; Christ's Hospital; City of London Girls' School; Cleveland Grammar School in Redcar; Dauntsey's School; Dudley High School; Eastbourne Grammer School; Elizabeth College in Guernsey; Gordonstoun School; Marlborough College; Seaford College in Petworth; Watford Grammar School; and Winchester College) in September 1966 and the first candidates were examined in June 1968.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records, 1955-1974, of the Nuffield Foundation A-level Physical Science (ALPS) course, comprising draft proposals for the A-level in Physical Sciences and contents of the course, 1966-1971, including report on general entry requirements to universities, 1967, progress report, 1968, information for pupils, 1968, and papers relating to course content, 1969-1971; Nuffield Foundation administrative papers relating to the A-level in Physical Sciences, 1964-1973, mostly correspondence; working party papers, 1965-1968, relating to structure of the course; papers relating to meetings and conferences, 1964-1970, including meetings of the Joint Committee on Physical Sciences and the Physical Sciences consultative committee and correspondence with the GCE (General Certificate of Education) Liaison Committee and the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate; papers relating to trial schools, 1966-1968, including question papers, correspondence concerning admission to universities, and summary of comments received; correspondence with schools, Local Education Authorities and colleges of further education, 1965-1974, the subjects including different kinds of schools, feedback, and teaching materials; newsletters, 1967-1971, including information on the teacher's guide and student's workbook; schools questionnaire, 1971; papers relating to examinations, 1966-1971, including details of candidates, sample papers, result sheets and requirements for university entrance; papers on projects submitted by candidates, 1967-1971; papers relating to apparatus and scientific developments for the A-level in Physical Sciences, 1966-1971; correspondence with universities, polytechnics, and UCCA (later the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), 1965-1972, including acceptance of ALPS for entry; introductory teachers' guides and course contents, 1967-1970; publications and articles, 1965-1971, including correspondence with publishers of textbooks and other materials; miscellaneous papers, 1955-1968, including correspondence with the Civil Service Commission and the armed forces concerning acceptance of ALPS candidates for entry; papers written by members of the Physical Sciences Group, 1965-1968 and undated, on various scientific topics, including preparatory material on their drafting; teachers' guides and papers prepared by teachers in trials schools, 1966-1967 and undated, on various scientific topics, with introductory sections and questions and answers.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Arranged in series as outlined above.

Conditions governing access:

Open, subject to signature of reader's undertaking form.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Photocopies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Director of Archive Services, King's College London.

Finding aids:

This summary guide and a detailed description available online and in the reading room at King's College London Archives.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

The records were transferred to King's College London Archives from the Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project at Chelsea College.

Allied Materials

Related material:

King's College London Archives holds the records of the Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project (NFSTP), 1949-1993 (Ref: CNU), the other sub-fonds comprising general papers, 1961-1974 (Ref: CNU/STP); the Secondary Science Education Programme, 1965-1974 (Ref: CNU/SS); the Junior Science Project, 1960-1974 (Ref: CNU/JSP); the Combined Science Project, 1964-1970 (Ref: CNU/CSP); Physics A- and O-level, 1963-1972 (Ref: CNU/PAL, CNU/POL); Chemistry O-level, 1962-1974 (Ref: CNU/COL); Chemistry A-level, 1962-1974 (Ref: CNU/CAL); Biology O-level, 1962-c1973 (Ref: CNU/BOL); Biology A-level, 1963-1972 (Ref: CNU/BAL); records relating to publications, also including material on NFSTP administration, 1949-1992 (Ref: CNU/PBN); published texts, 1960-1993 (Ref: CNU/TEXT); film loops and accompanying teaching notes, 1966-1978 (Ref: CNU/BOL/FL, CNU/COL/FL, CNU/BAL/FL, CNU/CAL/FL, CNU/PAL/FL, CNU/SS/FL, CNU/CSP/FL). It also holds records of the Schools Council Integrated Science Project (based, like the NFSTP, at Chelsea College and inspired by the Nuffield Combined Science Scheme), 1968-1984 (Ref: C/SCISP, C/SC, C/SCPT, C/SCI5-13).

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Rachel Kemsley as part of the RSLP AIM25 project. Source: list at King's College London Archives.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Feb 2001, revised Mar 2001