Science

Answer: I was not so involved in the consensus yesterday that the hon. Gentleman is talking about—[Interruption.] I voted for the Second Reading of our Labour Bill, yes—[Interruption.] And Conservatives voted for a Labour Bill, as well. It is important that we ensure, in the way in which science is taught, particularly at key stage 4, that we provide our young people with both the knowledge and the enthusiasm to continue to study science at a later stage. That is why one of the things that we voted for yesterday was an entitlement for every pupil to study at least two science GCSEs. Part of the way in which that entitlement will be represented in schools will include the study of three separate science subjects. I am confident that, whether we are talking about the science and advanced science option, or the three single science options, that will provide young people with the knowledge and enthusiasm to carry on studying science at a later stage in greater numbers.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Thursday, 16 March 2006 by Nick Gibb (Conservative).

Question: In the spirit of the consensus that was developed yesterday, I thought that, together, we might tackle science teaching in our schools. One of the unforeseen consequences of the Conservative Government's making science compulsory was the proliferation of the double science award GCSE, which is now almost universal in the state sector and likely to remain so even with the Minister's reforms. For someone going on to study three sciences at A-level, that means a reduction of a third in the amount of science that he or she studies at GCSE. Does she agree that we need much better science teaching in our comprehensives and far more students studying the three separate sciences at GCSE?

Secondary information