Jason Ford

Royal Society calls for reform of A-level system in England

News

The Royal Society has called for fundamental reform of the A-level system, leading to the introduction of an A-level-based Baccalaureate or similar qualification.

The new qualification should give students the opportunity to study a greater breadth of subjects, including science and mathematics.

In a new report, the Royal Society found that the current educational system for 16-19-year-old students results in only a small proportion of pupils studying science and mathematics subjects at A-level or equivalent in the UK.

Consequently, too few individuals are able to progress to university science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees, leading to a deficit of STEM graduates available to enter employment in commerce and industry and teaching as specialist science and mathematics teachers.

The Royal Society recommends that the A-level system in England be reformed to encourage more students to continue with science and mathematics as part of a wider range and increased number of subjects at post-16 level.

The Royal Society’s fourth State of the Nation report, Preparing for the transfer from school and college science and mathematics education to UK STEM higher education, assessed participation in science and mathematics in post-16 school-leaving examinations and related issues.

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