The Science Council's Policy Statements are produced in consultation with our members and through the Special Interest Groups.
The Science Council has responded to the SEMTA Phase 1 Consultation on the purpose and rationale of the proposed Diploma in Science. The response draws attention to concerns in the following areas:
- The need for greater clarity about how A levels will fit within the proposed new qualification.
- Greater clarity with regard to progression routes through to higher education.
- The need for evidence to show high levels of demand for post 16 and 19 entry into science based industries for those without higher education qualifications.
- Concern that the new qualification could be perceived as requiring young people to ‘brand’ themselves as scientists from the age of 14, and might therefore be viewed as cutting down their options: the unintended consequence of this could be to discourage the study of science post 16: further research is needed to understand audience perceptions of the proposed qualification.
- There is also a strong trend in employment, especially in the tertiary and policy sectors, for those whose learning and skills cover a breadth of disciplines and subjects: the new diploma qualifications will also need to provide for this.
- The need for progression routes to a level 3 science diploma to accommodate a pathway from the applied level 2 diplomas.
- It is noted that the proposed science diploma qualification is very different from the solutions being explored in other countries and there is concern that the speed of implementation in England could mean that we establish a qualification that is out of step with other parts of the UK, and internationally.
- A concern that it is intended that the new science diploma will only be taught in schools and colleges up to 19 and is not designed to fit within a wider framework of lifelong learning.
SCORE Position on the Science Diploma
30th May 2008
The introduction of the Diploma is a major change to the English education system. The SCORE partnership (of which the Science Council is a member), with support from the Gatsby Foundation, commissioned People Science & Policy Ltd to undertake a consultation examining the key issues around the development of the 14-19 science Diploma. The resulting report and SCORE’s own discussions have informed the position statement given here.
Education
12th June 2007
The Science Council's position statement on science and mathematics education for 5-19 year olds was finalised at its Council meeting in June 2007. This statement is intended as an overarching, high-level statement of the Science Council’s interests, priorities and objectives in education and will be used by the Council as a starting point for more detailed studies and statements.
Sustainable Development
10th October 2006
The policy statement is yet to be approved, however in the meantime you can download the draft consultation. more...
