This autumn with pound;51 million investment by the Department for Education and Skills and the Wellcome Trust, a national network of Science Learning Centres, opening from October, will deliver highest-quality professional development for everyone involved in science education - teachers, technicians and classroom assistants, from primary to post-16.

It is true that there is a shortage of teachers in some science subjects, but it is also true that there are many very good ones, and the learning centres are working to support them and increase their numbers.

In order to deliver effective science education, teachers need to be given access to the rapidly changing frontiers of their subject. More than any other subject, science must be linked to the world outside of the classroom - to modern scientific developments and the impact those developments have on society.

By giving science teachers time, resources and support to be specialists we can ensure that all students have access to a science education that is inspiring and that delivers better results.

Professor John Holman

Director, National Science Learning Centre

University of York