Editorial - Consultations and changes afoot

Another two month period has passed where politics have featured heavily in the world of chemistry teaching and learning, ruffling more than just a few feathers. Last issue it was A-level reform. This time, after much indecision and name changing, we have more on the proposed reforms to GCSEs in England, with the launch of yet another consultation document. I can't help but wonder if science education curricula are so heavily influenced by politics in other parts of the world? If our overseas readers would like to share their local experiences, if only for moral support, I'm sure we would be very interested.

Thinking required 

One question this consultation document seeks to find an answer to is 'has the right practical content for science been identified to allow students to gain the skills to progress in the subject?' This is interesting. SCORE (Science Community Representing Education), of which the RSC is a partner member, released a very comprehensive report recently, which shows that many students do not properly experience science education due to a serious lack of resources for practical work in some schools. Surely some joined up thinking is required? We need funding to support the teaching of practical skills, which will help to further engage students in the science they are studying. Engaged and motivated students are more likely to pursue science as a career, laying the foundations for them to become our experts of the future