The number of pupils taking A-level subjects in science and maths (maths, further maths, biology, chemistry, and physics) saw marked increases today. But for the first time in many years the ‘market share’ every one of those subjects also increased – in other words, the rise in those subjects was not just a result of more A-levels being taken overall.
CaSE Director, Imran Khan, commented:
“It’s fantastic that the sustained efforts of pupils and teachers alike have paid off today. Two thirds of all employers report difficulties in recruiting enough workers with science, technology, engineering and maths skills, so this is great news for the economy as well as for pupils.”
“CaSE saw signs of the increase last year, when AS-level sciences and maths participation and market share went up – so it’s encouraging that we’ve had the same increases in AS-levels this year, too.”
“The one cause for concern is that although the number of girls taking science and maths at A-level has increased, the number of boys doing so is increasing even faster – so the gender gap isn’t narrowing.”
A*
Across all A levels, 8.1% were awarded A*. However, the proportion of A* in Chemistry was 9.2%, Physics 10.3%, Maths 17.2%,and Further Maths 29.9%.
This shows that it is still the brightest students who are taking STEM subjects, so there is still scope for many more students to study physics and further mathematics – there is a misconception that you would only take these rigorous and stimulating subjects if you are likely to do exceptionally well in them.
Gender
There are particular concerns in Physics, where the proportion of entries accounted for by males actually rose to 78.5%, from 77.8% last year (1,410 more boys, but only 130 more girls). This is despite the fact that female physicists received more A* grades (11.6% compared to 10.0% for boys) and A grades (26.3% compared to 21.6% for boys) – which suggests that girls are only taking physics if they think they can really excel at it.
School type
There are still concerns about the inequality of participation in different school types. Comprehensives account for 42.6% of all A-levels taken, but only 31% of Further Maths, 39.3% of Maths, 39.6% of Chemistry, 40.7% of Physics, and 42.4% of Biology entries.
Independent schools, by contrast, account for just 13.5% of all A-levels taken, but 29% of Further Maths, 18.6% of Maths, 18.2% of Chemistry, 20.3% of Physics, and 15.2% of Biology entries.
CaSE Director Imran Khan said:
“Science and engineering are fields which intellectually benefit from a diversity of views and backgrounds, so it’s vital that they are seen as subjects which everyone, regardless of background, can take part in. It’s also grossly unfair if pupils in the state sector do not have the opportunity to study these stimulating and rewarding subjects.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. CaSE is the Campaign for Science and Engineering, the leading advocate for the scientific and engineering health of the UK. More details here: http://sciencecampaign.org.uk/
2. The full JCQ briefing is available here: http://www.jcq.org.uk/attachments/published/1297/JCQ-A%20LEVEL%20RESULTS.pdf
2 Comments
This reinforces research, by University of Durham I think, that Chemistry is the most difficult Science ‘A’ Level.
I heard somewhere that if one has an A Level in Chemistry, one is almost guaranteed a place at University to study any subject, because the Unis recognise the work ethic and study skills necessary to gain this qualification.
This is greatly ecouraging, many friends believe there is no way back – India and China are turning out tens of thousands of science and engineering graduates every year. I do not subscribe to this negative view, there is room for all, it is not one must lose for another to thrive. I have been considering joining CASE but wonder how this would help.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CaSE UK, Imran Khan. Imran Khan said: RT @sciencecampaign: CaSE responds: Fantastic A level news for sciences and maths pdf: http://bit.ly/aD026N blog: http://bit.ly/c9g7lG [...]
[...] seen encouraging signs that more pupils are taking science and maths at A-level and GCSE, but worrying gaps in uptake and attainment between boys and girls and state schools versus the independent sector [...]
[...] seen encouraging signs that more pupils are taking science and maths at A-level and GCSE, but worrying gaps in uptake and attainment between boys and girls and state schools versus the independent sector [...]
[...] seen encouraging signs that more pupils are taking science and maths at A-level and GCSE, but worrying gaps in uptake and attainment between boys and girls and state schools versus the independent sector [...]
[...] I’m keen to stress that such a culture/ structure for scientific careers can also put many men off the field too, and that many women succeed across science too: gender is in some respects an easy tool to play ‘spot the lack of diversity’ with, but it can be a rather blunt one too and there are many other questions to ask here (Imran Khan puts this better than I can though see also his notes on last summer’s A-level results). [...]
[...] I’m keen to stress that such a culture/ structure for scientific careers can also put many men off the field too, and that many women succeed across science too: gender is in some respects an easy tool to play ‘spot the lack of diversity’ with, but it can be a rather blunt one too and there are many other questions to ask here (Imran Khan puts this better than I can though see also his notes on last summer’s A-level results). [...]