David Perks has taught in state schools for over 20 years and is a passionate defender of academic science education. He was a co-author of the recent Sir Richard Sykes Review of school examinations commissioned by the Conservative Party and was a participant in the National Science Symposium which lead to the publication of Are we serious about science education? by AQA examination board. He was also called to give evidence before the House of Commons Children, Schools and Families Committee on the Teaching of STEM subjects in February of this year. He is currently working with the DfE on National Curriculum Review for Science.

He is also a co-founder of The Physics Factory a national initiative to revitalise physics education in state schools. David originated the Institute of Ideas and Pfizer Debating Matters sixth form debating competition and he has just launched a campaign for a new Free School called the East London Science School which will open in September 2013 if the application is successful.