Good Practical Science report aims to transform practical science education

Our president, Professor Sir John Holman, has launched a new report for the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, outlining ten benchmarks to transform practical science education in England.  

The Good Practical Science report details recommendations to help secondary schools achieve world-class science education, even when facing tight budgets. The benchmarks include recommendations for schools, policymakers, Ofsted and teacher trainers.

Looking at more than 400 secondary schools in England to gauge the status of practical science, the report also involved visits to world-leading nations including Finland, Germany and Singapore to learn what was done differently internationally.

Sir John, who is Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of York, and founding director of the National STEM Learning Centre, was formerly both a head teacher and science teacher.

Sir John said: "Time and time again we have seen that practical science is key not only for learning, but also for inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers and technicians.

"The benchmarks presented in this report reflect world-leading standards and we hope to empower our teachers by giving them the tools to include practical science in a greater proportion of their lessons."

A key ambition of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation is to strengthen intermediate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills within the UK workforce.