According to data uncovered by the Tories, and released by the BBC and The Guardian only 46% of state secondary schools entered pupils for the seperate science GCSEs last year.

In fact less than 20% of exam entrants sat Physics, Chemistry and Biology seperately, probably mostly due to independent and grammar schools in which the triple science award is the norm.

There is hope for parents who children are facing barriers to fulfilling their scientific interest, however. The government’s Science and innovation investment framework 2004-2014: next steps outlines:

an entitlement from 2008 for all pupils achieving at least level 6 at Key Stage 3 to study three separate science GCSEs, to increase progression to, and attainment at, A level science

By preventing access to the seperate sciences we are dramatically reducing the future options for students who may have found an interest in the sciences and gone on to study at A-level. Whilst taking the “double science” award doesn’t preclude students from progressing to study at A-level, it undoubtably puts them at a disadvantage.

Given the importance of innovation in our technological age, we should be making access to scientific education easier and more attractive to our young minds.