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GCSE and A Level Results
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August is results month. Starting in Scotland, there was a welcome boost in mathematics and science Advanced Highers.
In the rest of the UK, A level results showed that the increasing entries in mathematics and further mathematics seen in recent years were sustained. Over all sciences there was little change in the number and no change in the proportion of science A levels, with a rise in interest in physics counter-acted by a decline in biology.
Coverage in the run-up to the results focused on Conservative plans to reward science and mathematics with more points in school league tables on the basis that it is harder to do well in these subjects. CaSE proposed a similar scheme last July but suggested that assessing the difficulty of different subjects, and thereafter maintaining relative differences, would be complicated. It would be easier to justify more points, and hopefully thus increase uptake, because of the strategic importance of mathematics and science. The perception and evidence that these subjects are also more difficult helps the argument but is not essential.
GCSE results came out at the end of the month and showed a welcome and steep rise in triple science entries of 18-21%, although a disproportionate number of entries still come from independent and grammar schools. Mathematics and particularly additional mathematics entries also increased.
Read A level press release
Read GCSE press release
Read CaSE briefing on more points for STEM A levels
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| Coherent advocacy in advance of the general election |
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CaSE will be hosting two workshops in September (8th and 21st) with members and others to develop our science and engineering policies in advance of the general election. CaSE will also be organising a range of activities to get commitments from the parties on science and engineering and is scheduling a science policy debate. CaSE has set up an online account (Huddle) to share information relevant to the election, including a list of PPCs interested in STEM, party commitments and election messages. Please get in touch if you would like to know more about this area of work.
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IPEM join as new member
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CaSE is pleased to announce that the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine has joined as an organisational member. We look forward to working with them.
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Open Consultations
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Royal Society - Fruits of Curiosity
Deadline: 11th September
QCDA - GCSE science criteria
Deadline: 11th September
Deadline: 18th September
Deadline: 25th September
Deadline: 1st October
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