Campaign for Science & Engineering argues for increasing triple science provision

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Thursday, 21, Aug 2008 12:00

CaSE today celebrates the increase of about a third in entries into separate science GCSEs. Numbers entering biology GCSE increased 35% to 85,521, with chemistry up 29% to 76,656 and physics up 29% to 75,383. This was in a year when overall number of GCSE entries decreased 2.7%.

Dr Hilary Leevers, CaSE’s Assistant Director, commented:

“We are absolutely delighted to at last see substantial rises in GCSE results for triple science. CaSE has campaigned for triple science to be available to all students and, as more students are now being offered triple science, we are pleased and relieved to see that students are choosing to study science to the highest level at GCSE.

“Interestingly the actual grade performance of students increased in all the separate sciences, so that around half now get A or A*s. Overall GCSEs 21% achieved an A or A*, compared with 49% in biology (up from 45% in 2007), 53% in chemistry (up from 47%), and 52% in physics (up from 47%). This shows that there are many more students who would still do well to take the more challenging triple science option.”

Although, mathematics GCSE entries decreased, this was probably accounted for by a decreasing cohort, and entries into alternative exams (e.g., the IGCSE). Happily, additional mathematics entries increased again by 74% to 17, 871 and statistics GCSE entries also increased to 86,224.

Provision of Triple Science GCSEs

Children may take separate or “triple” science GCSEs in biology, chemistry and physics, two science GCSEs or a single award. Pupils are better prepared and more likely to take science A levels if they have studied triple science. By September 2008, all pupils achieving at least level 6 at Key Stage 3 will be entitled to study triple science GCSE (although, not necessarily in their own schools) and all science specialist schools should offer triple science GCSEs.

Information obtained from the Department for Children, Schools and Families by CaSE through a Freedom of Information request revealed that over half of schools that did not enter students into triple science in 2007 now already offer it. Worringly, a fifth of schools that did not enter students into triple science in 2007 have no plans to offer it now and another fifth have not decided whether to or not.

Dr Hilary Leevers commented:

“Today’s results show that students are capable of and interested in studying triple science. CaSE wants to see that the Government ensures that all students have the opportunity to study triple science GCSEs as they are entitled to.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

1. Contact: Dr Hilary Leevers, Assistant Director, hilary@sciencecampaign.org.uk, 020 7679 4995, 07905 304702.

2. The Campaign for Science & Engineering (CaSE) is a pressure group aiming to improve the scientific and engineering health of the UK. Our objective is to communicate to Parliament and the nation as a whole the economic and cultural importance of science and engineering, and the vital need for its funding by government and industry. CaSE is supported by its members, which includes individuals, corporations, universities and learned societies. Further information on CaSE can be found at: http://www.sciencecampaign.org.uk.

3. All GCSE figures can be viewed at http://www.jcq.org.uk.