In the penultimate piece of a five-part series on Bolton people named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list, Julian Thorpe looks at the work of one of the town’s leading figures in education

THERE can be few people as passionate as Philip Britton when it comes to making physics exciting for young people.

Mr Britton, head of Bolton School boys’ division, has been awarded an MBE for services to physics, and it is his work encouraging children to take an interest in the subject which is at the heart of his achievements.

Through his work with the Institute of Physics, he gives talks around the country to teachers, to help them make physics exciting and interesting.

As well as boosting interest in the field, he forms part of a vital support network for physics teachers, who are increasingly in short supply.

Mr Britton is in an ideal position to encourage students to love the subject, as it was his experiences at school that fired his enthusiasm for it.

He said: “There is a wonder and delight when you find out how things work. That is why physics is so exciting.

“I don’t think there was a life changing moment. During school I just enjoyed wondering why things happen.”

In keeping with his work, his hero in the field is Enrico Fermi, the man in charge of the team of scientists who created the first atomic bomb.

Mr Britton believes it is vital that young people enjoy physics, for the future of the UK.

He said: “In a very obvious way it’s really important that we have people studying physics from the point of view of the economy.

“It’s very important that we have people making their careers in physics.”

To relax, Mr Britton loves nothing more than enjoying the great outdoors, especially in his capacity as leader of Bolton School’s scout group.

He has been involved in scouting all his life, and just like in the classroom, he gains huge pleasure from seeing youngsters exploring and making new discoveries.

He said: “I like the leadership aspect of scouting, I like the outdoors, and being with young people when they’re exploring new places is a tremendous privilege.

“I also love seeing the lads cooking on a coal fire and enjoying the simple pleasures of life in an uncomplicated way.”

He is also a keen musician, and enjoys choral singing and playing the clarinet.

Mr Britton was born in Glasgow, but grew up in the North East, in Blaydon-on-Tyne, near Newcastle.

After leaving secondary school in Blaydon, he studied physics at Oxford and teaching at Cambridge.

His first class honours degree helped him secure a job teaching physics at Leeds Grammar School in 1991, where he won the Charles Fox prize for the best post-graduate certificate in education performance.

Mr Britton has served as a member, secretary and chair of the Institute of Physics education group, as well as being a member of the IoP education board, and has published a number of articles in physics and science teaching journals.

His recent physics work has been through Bolton School’s Ogden Trust, which aims to encourage people to take up the science.

He has been the headteacher of Bolton School’s boys’ division for a year and a half.

Mr Britton is married to Rachel, and has two children, aged six and four.

He said he was delighted and surprised to be awarded an MBE.

He said: “I think it’s recognition for physics in general.”

•l Tomorrow — An MBE at the age of 92 — Liz Kay’s story.

julian.thorpe@ theboltonnews.co.uk