All-in-one science exam concern

Teenagers in Rochdale are missing out on top jobs as they are not taking separate science GCSEs, it was claimed today.

The Tories say students are forgoing opportunities later in life by opting for core science GCSE, rather than separate physics, biology and chemistry.

Shadow Schools Minister, Nick Gibb, said 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.

He added: “Youngsters in some of the poorest areas are being denied access to top careers in engineering and medical research, while our brightest 16-year-olds are being asked questions in science exams that are tests of comprehension but require no actual knowledge.

“Ministers must urgently wake up to the fact that other countries are racing ahead of us — we have slipped from fourth to 14th in the international rankings — and this trend needs to be reversed, both to increase opportunity for individuals and for the future prosperity of the country as a whole.”

Nationally, 46% of schools entered at least one pupil to take separate sciences, but in Slough and Islington, not a single child sat the separate GCSE exams last year.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry, the schools minister, insisted the number of pupils taking separate science GCSEs had increased significantly over the last two years — with a further target to double the numbers.

She said: “It is misleading to suggest that pupils who don’t take triple science are not receiving a strong grounding in physics, chemistry and biology.”

The core science GCSE was introduced in 2006 with the aim of making the subject more relevant to pupils not intending to study it at university.

It examines topical issues, such as GM crops and global warming, while an additional science GCSE can also be taken, offering a more practical focus.

But, earlier this year, the exam regulator Ofqual warned that the core exam had dumbed down science and raised significant cause for concerns about standards.