25 February 2010
million+ comment on Walport Report on Science and Learning in Schools
The university think-tank million+ has welcomed recommendations published by Sir Mark Walport and a Science and Expert Learning Group established by DCSF (Children, Schools and Families) and BIS (Business Innovation and Skills) to review current policy in respect of science and maths. The report (published on 25 February) makes a series of recommendations for the future education and professional development of science and maths teachers and technicians but also highlights the increased interest in STEM in recent years. Recommendations include support for local networks between experts in schools and higher education and the involvement of universities in the design of qualifications.
Professor Les Ebdon, Chair of the university think-tank million+ and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, said ‘The Walport report is both timely and welcome and will do much to empower science and maths teachers and technicians and encourage the links with local universities which are crucial to building the partnerships needed to improve interest and attainment.
Modern universities teach many science and maths related courses, lead in the provision of teacher education and continuous professional development and have the experience to support these networks and the many mature students who want to re-train as science and maths teachers. There is a surge in applications from students with a science and technical background and the TDA now has a crucial role to play in providing the resources required to support these applications’.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. Science and Learning Expert Group – headed by Sir Mark Walport Director of the Wellcome Trust – aimed to develop, in consultation with relevant stakeholders and delivery partners, an Action Plan for improving the overall coherence of activity across Science and Learning and with other strands in the Science and Society Strategy. The Science and Learning Expert Group report can be downloaded at http://interactive.bis.gov.uk/scienceandsociety/site/learning/
3. The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) provides funding for teacher education
4. For more information, comment or interviews from million+ please contact Victoria Mills on 07900 277819