Forum Brief: Science Initiative

The prime minister and education secretary, Estelle Morris, Estelle Morris have launched a new partnership between the government, GlaxoSmithKline, the Technology Colleges Trust and Imperial College London to boost science education in schools applying to become Science Colleges under the government's Specialist Schools Programme.

Under the programme post-doctoral science researchers from Imperial College who have recently completed their PhDs will spend around half their time in selected specialist science or combined science and engineering schools. At the same time they will study towards a post-graduate teaching qualification.

Forum Response: Imperial College

Sir Richard Sykes, Rector of Imperial College, told ePolitix.com: " I believe that the Imperial post-docs will act as excellent role models and stimulate broader enthusiasm for science.

"Britain has a successful high technology industry, which depends on the flow of well- qualified scientists and engineers. This initiative has been developed to increase the number of young people specialising in post-16 science courses enabling them to pursue degrees in chemistry, physics and engineering and ultimately a career in science."

Forum Response: Technology Colleges Trust

Sir Cyril Taylor, chairman of the Technology Colleges Trust, told ePolitix.com: "We are delighted that there will be one thousand specialist schools in operation next September including the first Glaxo Imperial Science Colleges.

"Specialist schools are not narrow, elitist institutions working with a few privileged students, but comprehensive schools with pupils from a wide range of ability which this coming September will be educating to a high standard one million children.

"In 2001 they achieved a stunning 54 per cent 5+ A*-C at GCSE compared to 45 per cent for other comprehensive schools. By teaching all the subjects of the national curriculum but with a special focus on science we hope the Glaxo / Imperial College schools will lead the way in encouraging more of our school aged students to study science especially Physics at 'A' level. Our future prosperity depends upon more of our children receiving the best scientific education possible."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, general secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "PAT welcomes this much-needed investment, of both money and expertise, in science and technology. Investing in science and technology is investing in the future of our country, its population and its economy.

"However, we must sound a note of caution about the prime minister's enthusiasm for expanding the number of specialist schools. Where there are clusters of schools, specialist schools could be a positive way to promote the dissemination of teacher expertise and the sharing of resources. Where we have seen positive examples of collaborative partnerships in clusters of schools, and the sharing of specialist teacher expertise and facilities, extending diversity can work well. There is a particular need for science, engineering, business and enterprise specialisms to be catered for.

"However, where there aren't clusters, for example in rural areas, more specialist schools may result in an imbalance of pupils at those schools which remain general comprehensives. We have seen schools become financially advantaged as a result of the drive for selection and specialism, indicating that a two-tier system will emerge, despite government assurances. The perceived value attached to specialist status by society may, in turn, impact on parental choice of school for their children - in short, selection by rejection - and result in a widening gap between advantaged and disadvantaged areas.

"Difficulties would also remain for those schools serving rural communities, where there is limited choice for parents and where transport is a significant factor. Issues of health and safety and supervision of pupils arise where transportation is required for access to neighbouring work placements on schools.

"In the interests of equality of opportunity, pupils have entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. We urge the government to invest in excellent teaching and support for all our children - not in a quasi-selective system that will benefit only a minority of pupils in a minority of schools - so that all schools can become centres of excellence."

Forum Response: NESTA

Jeremy Newton, chief executive of NESTA, told ePolitix.com: "We believe at NESTA that wealth creation and quality of life in the UK are dependent on a vibrant and thriving education system.

"We actively support partnerships which explore imaginative new ways of communicating science which will hopefully liberate and excite, pupils and teachers alike.

"In managing Science Year for the DfES, NESTA has found that the active involvement in the classroom of committed and passionate young scientists has a highly beneficial effect on pupil's engagement and performance. This scheme should represent an important step forward in this approach and we greatly welcome it."