Call for greater ambition for practical science in schools

The Chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee Andrew Miller MP has sent a ‘video letter’ to Education Minister, Nick Gibb MP, asking him to rethink changes that have been made to the way practical work will be assessed in A-level science subjects.

The letter was published following a meeting of leading experts in science teaching - including our Schools and Colleges Manager, Nicole Morgan - who were brought together by the Select Committee to examine alternative proposals for assessing practical work.

Responding to the publication of the video letter, SCORE (Science Community Representing Education), of which the Royal Society of Chemistry is a partner organisation, issued the following statement:

We are pleased the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee has reminded the minister about the detrimental impact the reforms are likely to have on biology, chemistry and physics education in England. These changes mean achievement in practical work would be reported as a pass or fail, separate from the A-level examination grade. Practical work is integral to the sciences, but these changes run the risk of devaluing practical work, and may mean students are denied the rich and challenging learning experience they deserve in these subjects.

SCORE fears that many universities will not include the practical work endorsement as part of their admissions criteria, particularly for entry to non-science subjects. This would send a strong message to schools and colleges that practical work is no longer a valued element of the A-levels, and some teachers may choose to reduce to a minimum the time spent in this area. Practical work is not an optional add-on to science - it is an essential component.

The science and education communities have been united in their opposition to this reform, and their warnings of the impact it will have. Despite this consensus Ofqual has so far refused to listen to these warnings. We hope that Nick Gibb will take account of the important message in this video letter. SCORE agrees that the current arrangement for assessing practical work is not fit for purpose, but the proposed change does not necessarily solve the problems it is supposed to address. More time for robust research into alternative models is urgently needed.

Ofqual, the exam regulator in England, announced in April that practical work in science will no longer be assessed as part of the main A-level grade in chemistry, biology and physics, but will instead be awarded as a separate pass or fail grade for practical skills.