Collection CNU - EDUCATION: Chelsea College Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching project records

Key Information

Reference code

CNU

Title

EDUCATION: Chelsea College Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching project records

Date(s)

  • 1949-1993 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent

540 boxes (including one outsize), 2 files

Scope and content

Records of the Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project (NFSTP), 1949-1993 but mainly dating from the 1960s and 1970s, including general administrative papers, 1961-1974; the Secondary Science Education Programme, 1965-1974; the Junior Science Project, 1960-1974; the Combined Science Project, 1964-1970; A-level in Physical Sciences, 1955-1974; Physics A- and O-level, 1963-1972; Chemistry O-level, 1962-1974; Chemistry A-level, 1962-1974; Biology O-level, 1962-c1973; Biology A-level, 1963-1972; records relating to publications, also including material on NFSTP administration, 1949-1992; trial published texts, 1960-1993; and film loops and accompanying teaching notes, 1966-1978, for various subjects and age groups.

System of arrangement

The records comprise the sub-fonds listed.

General Information

Name of creator

Biographical history

The Nuffield Foundation was created in 1943 with a benefaction from William Richard Morris, Lord Nuffield, of shares to the value of ten million pounds in Morris Motors Ltd. The annual income of the Foundation (in 1965, two and a half million pounds) was divided between various fields of activity including medical, biological and other scientific research, and the advancement of education. In December 1961 the Trustees of the Foundation agreed to set aside £250,000 towards a comprehensive programme to further the teaching of science and mathematics in schools. Details of the programme were publicly announced in the House of Commons by Sir David Eccles, Minister of Education. In physics, chemistry and biology a full-time organiser was appointed to lead the work of the section, each backed by a small consultative committee, and based at the Foundation's headquarters at Chelsea College, London. In 1964 the Trustees recognised that the development of O-level courses would make necessary the development of materials for A-level students. Plans were drawn up for programmes of development leading to A-level courses in biology, physics, chemistry, and physical sciences, using material drawn from both chemistry and physics. A-level courses were introduced into trial schools in September 1966 in chemistry, physical science and biology, and A-level examinations provided between 1968 and 1970 in those subjects and in physics. Working parties, variously composed but generally including a university professor, a university lecturer, a school teacher and a member of the headquarters team, served the projects. They aimed to provide expert advice on content and methods of presentation and to ensure that the approach adopted was suited to the needs of future university students.

Custodial history

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

Conditions governing access

Open, subject to signature of Reader's undertaking form, and appropriate provision of two forms of identification, to include one photographic ID.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied from open material for research purposes only.

Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Archives.

Language of material

Script of material

Finding aids

Lists of the contents of 13 sub-fonds are available in the reading room at King's College London Archives, but several deposits (Ref: 1993/NUFF, 1994/CDD, 1995/CNU, 1996/CNU), totalling 49 boxes, are uncatalogued.

Existence and location of originals

Off-campus collection

Please note: We require 7 days notice to retrieve this collection as part, or all of it, is held off-campus. Read more ›

Related materials

King's College London Archives 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).

Related descriptions

Alternative identifier(s)

Place access points

People and Organisations

Genre access points

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000.

Script(s)

Archivist's note

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

Accession area