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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Mr. Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the potential benefits to (a) science in schools and (b) biology fieldwork following the science and innovation consultation; and if he will make a statement. [186465] Alan Johnson: The Government's Science and Innovation 10-year Investment Framework sets out our comprehensive strategy for tackling skills shortages in the science, engineering and technology. We outlined how we would improve science teaching and learning in schools by providing additional incentives to recruit more people to train to be science teachers, making better use of specialist science support staff and, subject to the advice of the School Teacher Review Body, enabling science Advanced Skills Teachers to be paid more. We also outlined the importance of a science curriculum that inspires young people, with opportunities for exciting science practical work in and outside the classroom. To improve teacher confidence in using fieldwork, we have funded the Field Studies Council in association with the Geographical Association, the Association of Science Education and the Open University to develop a training course for geography and science teachers. Complementary courses on fieldwork will also be offered through the new national network of Science Learning Centres. Our Growing Schools programme supports teachers to educate pupils about food cultivation, farming, and understanding the natural environment, as well as how to use the outdoors for teaching subjects across the curriculum.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

424 c1003W; 186465

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Schools Vacancies Skilled workers Science Biology

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk