Science in Secondary Schools

[expat]

Do secondary schools still teach separate sciences - Physics, Chemistry and biology? and can you still do each one separately at GCSE?
Or does everyone do a 'general science' subject instead?

Certainly there are separate science A-levels. Not to mention Highers. Don't know about GCSE or Standard Grade.

[Alf W]

Do secondary schools still teach separate sciences - Physics, Chemistry and biology? and can you still do each one separately at GCSE?
Or does everyone do a 'general science' subject instead?

What is this GCSE thing?

What was wrong with O levels and CSEs for the thick kids / Poly fodder?

[FarmerPalmer]

The choice is of double science or triple science.

Triple science is NOT chemistry, physics & biology.

It is science, additional science and applied science.

Science is government bull (how they want the masses to think),
additional is more government bull,
and applied is how government bull is applied in the workplace.

Schools are no longer asked to teach science which is why no kids want to go into scientific jobs.

How do I know ? Because my son is currently taking his GCSEs and I get to see the crap that is being taught which has nothing to do with science.

I was taught pure Physics, Chemistry and Biology - he has no idea about these other than what I can tell him.

[Board Game Geek]

TBH, even if they do study the hard sciences, the only jobs available to them will either be research assistants on £12K a year or flipping burgers in McDonald's.

Until we start paying scientists "Footballer's Wages" and reversing the damage done by the cult of celebrity, it's little wonder kids will opt for other courses.

[minestrone]

TBH, even if they do study the hard sciences, the only jobs available to them will either be research assistants on £12K a year or flipping burgers in McDonald's.

Until we start paying scientists "Footballer's Wages" and reversing the damage done by the cult of celebrity, it's little wonder kids will opt for other courses.

Complete mince. Both my gf an I excelled in sciences and went on to do degrees in science, we both pull in 6 figure wages.

It is people like yourselves that perpetuate the myth that there is no money in science that is the problem.

[Board Game Geek]

I disagree...I read the New Scientist from time to time and checkout the jobs in the back and unless you are a Director, you may be lucky to pull in over £40K for some roles.

The rest of the roles being offered are a complete insult to the intelligence and the hard work of the grads who've endured 5+ years at Uni.

It is people like yourselves that perpetuate the myth that there is no money in science that is the problem.

Take a look in the journal ads then. They pay the salaries, not me.

I would suggest that you and your gf are the exception to the norm. I congratulate your fortune.

There are plenty on a lot less.

[minestrone]

You are making the assumption that people who do well in sciences walk about in labs wearing white coats looking at test tubes. I don't blame you, anytime you get a story on the news about science there will be a chap in a white coat holding a test tube.

Britain is at the forefront of many sciences and they pull in a lot of money, from genetic engineering to mechanical engineering we still are at the forefront of science.

[Pogle]

I have a science degree (electronics) and I enjoy my work and get well paid for it.

TBH I am really quite shocked that separate sciences are not taught in state schools.

[Menelaus]

What is this GCSE thing?

What was wrong with O levels and CSEs for the thick kids / Poly fodder?

Oi! I did CSEs ... and not a massive thickie.

[Menelaus]

I disagree...I read the New Scientist from time to time and checkout the jobs in the back and unless you are a Director, you may be lucky to pull in over £40K for some roles.

The rest of the roles being offered are a complete insult to the intelligence and the hard work of the grads who've endured 5+ years at Uni.



Take a look in the journal ads then. They pay the salaries, not me.

I would suggest that you and your gf are the exception to the norm. I congratulate your fortune.

There are plenty on a lot less.

Agreed. My ex works in atmospheric physics and loves what she does (and I'm hugely proud of her for the work that she does - all original research) but gets paid <£25K whereas I did pure maths and am on a six-figure number.