Walport's wake-up call?

In February, the Science and Learning Expert Group, chaired by Sir Mark Walport, published its report on the state of pre-19 science and mathematics education in the UK. The report finds there is room for improvement, notably in the curriculum and its assessment. But do the recommendations go far enough?

The mathematics content within the science specifications; opportunities for more in-depth study within the subject; and the potential harmful impact of modular assessment were all cited in Walport's report as 'areas for improvement' if pre-19 science education in the UK is to prepare young people with the skills and knowledge they need to meet the challenges facing society in the 21st century.