Key Information
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1949-1992 (Creation)
Level of description
Series
Extent
83 boxes, including one outsize
Scope and content
Records, 1949-1992, largely originating from the Publications Department of the the Nuffield Foundation Science Teaching Project (NFSTP) and concerning the planning and production of publications for various subjects but also originating from other sections and concerning the administration of the NFSTP and the operation of its various projects. The records include files, 1963-1979, on staff of the Publications Department and Project team members of NFSTP; files on finance and management of the NFSTP, 1964-1991; minutes and meeting papers of the Nuffield Continuation Fund Committee, 1969-1976, and the Nuffield-Chelsea Curriculum Trust, 1986-1989; agreements with publishers, 1964-1986; permissions granted by Nuffield to reproduce or quote material, 1982-1991; publicity and promotion materials for Nuffield courses, 1979-1983; index cards with publishing, production and sales information for Nuffield publications, 1966-1978; and correspondence and agreements relating to foreign publication rights, 1966-1976. The rest of the material comprises correspondence with authors, editors and publishers concerning preparation and production of material, drafts, proofs, photographs, artwork, and trial and final material including film loops, pertaining to publications on all O-level science subjects, 1963-1970s; O-level biology, 1964-1975; O-level Chemistry, 1966-1970s; Chemistry Background Books, including Stages 1, 2 and 3, Additional Option Books, and Background Books not published, 1949-1970; O-level Physics, 1963-1966; the production of film loops for various subjects, 1962-1982, and rights in them, 1963-1975; revised O-level Biology, 1970-1976; revised O-level Chemistry, 1969-1977; all A-level science subjects, 1963-1978; A-level Biology, 1965-1976; A-level Chemistry, 1963-1965; preparation and production of Chemistry books, 1966-1975; Chemistry book permissions, 1966-1972; a proposed booklet on A-level Chemistry in association with Texaco Ltd, 1983-1984; proposal for an experimental scheme to test the value and operational procedures for examining chemistry (Nuffield) at A-level in a modular structure, c1990; general papers on Physics, 1968-1988, including A-level examination papers, 1970-1988; papers relating to the revised Nuffield A-level examination, 1984-1988, including reports of the awarders, 1986-1988; Physics Trials Booklets on various topics, both teachers' guides and students' books, c1968-1970; permissions for Physics books, 1966-1975; permissions for Physics and the Engineer , 1965-1972; correspondence relating to the development of the A-level Physical Sciences course, 1966-1972; papers relating to film loops on all subjects except Physical Sciences, 1967-1973; revised A-level Chemistry texts, early 1980s; revised A-level Physics text, 1985; papers relating to an evaluation study of Revised Nuffield Advanced Physics, 1988; papers on the development of the Combined Science Project (for 11-13 year olds), 1965-1980; publications for Combined Science, 1966-1972; papers on the planning the Combined Science Continuation Project, including trial materials, 1970-1983; papers on publications for Secondary Science, 1966-1973; publications for Nuffield 13 to 16, 1976-c1982; publications for Science in Home Economics, 1964-1981; Nuffield Secondary Maths; files relating to smaller-scale Nuffield Science Teaching Projects, or Projects partly financed, sponsored or supported by Nuffield, 1970-1992, including a project on science for primary teachers, reform of curricula and syllabuses, and modular courses. Many were published jointly by Longman and Penguin, with Penguin handling most of the production and design and Longman handling distribution, sales and some editing.
System of arrangement
The initial files relate to administration, including staffing (with files on individuals arranged alphabetically), followed by files on the granting of foreign rights to overseas publishers. The remaining files are largely grouped into Projects, as listed above, arranged chronologically by date of publication of final materials, each group of Project papers followed by the revised texts or continuation projects; then smaller-scale Nuffield Science Teaching Projects or other schemes supported by or associated with the Nuffield Science Teaching Project.
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.
Repository
Custodial history
The papers 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
- English
Script of material
Finding aids
List available in reading room at King's College London Archives, except for Nuffield Secondary Maths (Ref: PBN9), which is uncatalogued.
Existence and location of originals
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
Alternative identifier(s)
Subjects
Place access points
People and Organisations
- Nuffield Foundation (Subject)
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.