Government announce a delay in the introduction of the Level 3 Science Diploma
16 April 2009
SCORE (Science Community Partnership Representing Education),
the body representing the UK's foremost science education
organisations, welcomes the decision to delay the introduction of
the Science Diploma at Level 3. SCORE works to increase the numbers
of students studying the sciences at 16-19 and believes that a
Diploma in the sciences could contribute to this goal. The extended
development period will enable the key issues and concerns to be
addressed in consultation with teachers, employers and Higher
Education.
Sir Alan Wilson, the Chair of SCORE, said, "The decision to
delay for a year the launch of the Science Diploma at Level 3 is
one that we have been pressing for over a considerable period of
time and we are delighted to see Government recognise the need for
further work. This additional development time can now used to
address a number of key issues to ensure that the Science Diploma
becomes a successful qualification."
Sir Alan Wilson continued, "We look forward to working with the
Diploma Development Partnership as they continue to engage with the
science community and work together with us on this new
qualification."
SCORE has engaged with SEMTA and the Science Diploma Development
Partnership (DDP) as they have worked on the development of the
Science Diploma over the past nine months. During this the
development process, SCORE has raised a number of important matters
with the DDP, Secretary of State and others. In particular, SCORE
has pressed for a clearer vision and purpose for the diploma, which
the science community believes will result in a strengthened
qualification.
As the Science Diploma development continues, SCORE will be
seeking to address the following issues in conjunction with the
DDP:
• how teaching, learning and
assessment within the Science Diploma can be focussed towards
applied sciences
• the development of customised
qualifications to supplement the principal learning of the diploma
to prepare students for opportunities in the sciences within both
Higher Education and employment
• the provision of teacher
training and support.