Royal Society: UK should teach science like Scotland

A LEADING scientific institution has hailed the way science is taught in Scotland, where almost twice as many 16 to 19-year-olds studied it as in other parts of the UK.

The Royal Society suggested that all UK education systems be reformed to emulate successes in the education system north of the Border. Almost half (49.7 per cent) of students aged between 16 and 19 took Higher science in 2009, according to the society's State of the Nation report, which drew on government figures.

This was much higher than in England where 27.7 per cent of pupils took the equivalent A-level science. In Wales the figure was 26.6 per cent, and in Northern Ireland 37.4 per cent.

More students taking one or more science subjects also did so in combination with mathematics in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK, the report said.

The Royal Society said that as Scottish students tend to take five subjects at Higher they have more choice and flexibility than at A-level where the tendency is to pursue three subjects.

More of them are therefore likely to take the two sciences normally required for entry onto STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degree courses at university.

The report suggested that the A-level system in England be reformed to bring the system into closer alignment with the Scottish one, with a wider range and increased number of subjects, through an A-level based baccalaureate qualification.

Professor Dame Athene Donald FRS, chairwoman of the Royal Society Education Committee, said: "At a time of economic uncertainty, when science and scientists can play a key role in revitalising the UK's financial outlook, it is deeply worrying to find numbers of A-level science students are at such low levels.

"We need to identify the factors that make the Scottish education system so successful in encouraging the uptake of science subjects in order to inspire the next generation of students to commit to scientific study from school to university."

The Royal Society said whatever changes are made, the Scottish education system should continue to give students the breadth needed to study science and maths alongside other subjects.

It suggested that Intermediates, which it said have proven effective in helping to maximise the number of students progressing to Scottish Highers, be replaced by a similar option.

Prof Donald said: "The current reforms by the Scottish Government need to be carefully considered to ensure they will not have a negative impact on the success the education system has seen in encouraging post-16 participation in science. It would be potentially damaging to Scottish science if the Intermediate qualifications were removed and no replacement found for them, as this could severely limit progression to STEM higher education."

Scottish education secretary Michael Russell said: "Curriculum for Excellence is encouraging new and innovative ways of teaching and I've already seen evidence of this encouraging more pupils to study science."