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Row over separate GCSE sciences Schools rapped over GCSE sciences
(1 day later)
Half of England's comprehensive schools did not offer physics, chemistry or biology GCSEs last year, figures show. Half of England's comprehensives did not offer physics, chemistry and biology GCSEs last year, figures show.
The figures - requested by the Tories - show that in two areas not a single pupil studied the separate sciences.The figures - requested by the Tories - show that in two areas not a single pupil studied the separate sciences.
The government has said that every pupil doing adequately in science by the age of 14 should be able to pursue the three subjects.The government has said that every pupil doing adequately in science by the age of 14 should be able to pursue the three subjects.
In the new curriculum, most schools do a core science GCSE with "additional science" for those who are interested.In the new curriculum, most schools do a core science GCSE with "additional science" for those who are interested.
These have supplanted the double science course that most pupils followed from the early 1990s.These have supplanted the double science course that most pupils followed from the early 1990s.
Separate or "triple" science GCSEs have largely become the preserve of grammar schools and independent schools. Separate or "triple" science GCSEs in physics, chemistry and biological sciences are the norm in grammar schools and independent schools.
'Misleading' 'Shocking'
The figures show that, on average, 46% of comprehensives entered at least one pupil for separate sciences.The figures show that, on average, 46% of comprehensives entered at least one pupil for separate sciences.
GCSE ENTRIES 2005 / 2008 Physics: 30,954 / 52,894Chemistry: 31,248 / 53,309Biological sciences: 32,838 / 58,855 Source: DCSF achievement and attainment tables, maintained schools
But no pupils at all in two local authority areas - Islington and Slough - were entered for separate sciences last year, although Islington says two of its eight schools do now offer them.
Just under a quarter of exam entrants (23.4%) did only core science in comprehensive schools, while 57.2% took core plus additional science.Just under a quarter of exam entrants (23.4%) did only core science in comprehensive schools, while 57.2% took core plus additional science.
Shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said: "It is truly shocking that there are whole areas of England where not a single child has the opportunity to sit separate science GCSEs.Shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said: "It is truly shocking that there are whole areas of England where not a single child has the opportunity to sit separate science GCSEs.
"Without a good understanding of physics, chemistry or biology at the age of 16, it is almost impossible for pupils to get top marks in these subjects at A-level and progress to a science degree at a top university.""Without a good understanding of physics, chemistry or biology at the age of 16, it is almost impossible for pupils to get top marks in these subjects at A-level and progress to a science degree at a top university."
'Misleading'
Schools Minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry said: "The number of pupils taking triple science has increased significantly since 2007 and we are investing £6m over the next three years to double this number."Schools Minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry said: "The number of pupils taking triple science has increased significantly since 2007 and we are investing £6m over the next three years to double this number."
But she added: "It is misleading to suggest that pupils who don't take triple science are not receiving a strong grounding in physics, chemistry and biology.But she added: "It is misleading to suggest that pupils who don't take triple science are not receiving a strong grounding in physics, chemistry and biology.
"Through core and additional science, pupils will receive a good foundation in all three sciences which will set them up for further study at A-level.""Through core and additional science, pupils will receive a good foundation in all three sciences which will set them up for further study at A-level."
'Thorough grounding' The Association of School and College leaders said the figures were misleading because they related to students who began their GCSEs in 2006.
In talking about the revised secondary school curriculum in July 2007, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said that some of the key changes and retained elements included: "The entitlement to triple sciences took effect in 2008 so students starting triple sciences under the entitlement will not appear in the GCSE results until 2010," said policy director Malcolm Trobe.
"Science: Will remain a core compulsory subject in the curriculum and all pupils who reach the required level will have entitlement to study triple separate sciences (physics, chemistry and biology) at GCSE by September 2008." "Other schools may be offering three separate sciences but no student is choosing to take all three."
Commenting on the GCSE results that August, Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "More students are choosing single sciences at GCSE yet again and achievement in the single sciences is outstripping other subjects, with attainment in double award science rising as well. The new science curriculum will build on this. The pupil entitlement to be taught triple science is not however matched by an obligation on schools to teach the three subjects.
"We want all young people to have a thorough grounding not just in physics, chemistry and biology but also to be able to apply it to the science of climate change, stem research and important issues beyond the school gate - whether or not they study at a higher level." class="bodl" href="/1/hi/education/8081210.stm">Dilemma over science entitlement
The entitlement to study triple sciences featured in the 2006 Education and Inspections Act and was given effect by what is called a statutory instrument - a ministerial order - in 2007.
This entitled a pupil to study either the new science and additional science qualifications, or the three separate sciences - as their school's governing body chose.
This was summed up in plain English in a DCSF pamphlet, Nurturing Tomorrow's Scientists.
That said all state schools must offer all pupils the opportunity to study the new core and additional science GCSEs or all three science subjects, physics, chemistry and biology (often called "triple science").
But in the same pamphlet the promise to pupils was that, from September 2008, there would be "a new non-statutory entitlement to triple science teaching at GCSE for those who reach at least Level 6 in science at Key Stage 3 [up to age 14]".
Level 6 is the national curriculum level expected for that age group.
The government's Triple Science Support Programme website also says there is "a non-statutory entitlement to enable all young people with Key Stage 3 science attainment of Level 6 and above that would benefit, to study triple science GCSEs from September 2008 in all schools."
In a speech in February this year, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he wanted to double - from 8.5% - the number of pupils taking triple science.
He also wanted pupils to have access to science as single subjects in 90% of schools.
Regulator Ofqual recently made exam boards take action after finding that science GCSE standards had fallen.