Vision for science and mathematics education

The Royal Society has launched an ambitious project to set out a vision for how the UK can develop an inspiring and high performing science and mathematics education system over the next 15—20 years.

The work is led by the Vision Committee which includes scientists, education experts, teachers and former politicians.  They have developed their ideas and are now consulting widely on what others – experts and non-experts alike – think of their vision and how it can be developed. 

"We want an inspirational education system that will deliver both scientifically and technologically informed, engaged citizens and appropriate numbers of qualified people who wish to take up science and technology-based careers."
Sir Martin Taylor FRS, Chair of the Vision Committee

The committee is reviewing how the UK can create a system which provides all young people with inspirational and relevant science and mathematics education by 2030. It is asking questions about our educational institutions, teaching workforce, curriculum and assessment and accountability mechanisms.

Tell us what you think

We’d like to hear your views on what the UK’s science and mathematics education system should look like in 15-20 years, and how this can be achieved.

The Vision

The committee is examining, specifically for science and mathematics:

• The teaching profession: How to recruit, train, and retain a high-quality teaching workforce.
• Curriculum and assessment: The principles of a science and mathematics curriculum of the future, how this might be taught and how successful learning can be measured.
• Accountability: How best to make it easier for parents and the public to hold schools and colleges to account, without hindering the ability of leaders and teachers to  inspire and innovate.
• Educational institutions: How schools and colleges should operate – and their relationships with employers and the virtual, global community.
• Advances in science and technology in education: How new digital technologies and research from neuroscience and psychology may shape future learning.

During the consultation period, we are commissioning research which will provide evidence for  the project in the areas of digital technology, neuroscience and psychology, curriculum, inter-disciplinarity and links of science and mathematics with other subjects, science and maths skills and society, students attitudes, engagement and participation and the science and maths teaching workforce. 

The committee believes that these three elements are at the heart of an inspirational education system:

1. An excellent teaching profession is at the heart of an inspirational education system: The UK needs a high-status teaching profession in which schools and colleges have specialist science and mathematics teachers, qualified in their specialist subject.  Their professional development should be both a right and a pathway to clearly defined satisfaction and progression in their careers.
2. Learning and active involvement with science and mathematics supports the development of informed and engaged citizens: Students of all abilities should study science and mathematics, including experimental science, as part of a broad range of subjects, including arts and humanities until they are 18. The curriculum for all students should draw on the expertise of subject communities, employers and higher education. All students deserve the right to experience education in science and mathematics in informal settings, for example inside and outside school and in museums and science centres. Careers advice should have a more prominent profile with relevant and timely advice embedded into school and college life.
3. Assessment and accountability systems must recognise the whole child – the learners’ all-round development: Assessment should reward understanding and application in addition to recall of content, and encourage exploration, curiosity and practical scientific investigation. Assessment and accountability systems must recognise learners’ all-round development, not just their ability to pass examinations.

If you would like to comment on these principles then please do so through the survey.

Background

The world in 2030 will be very different from that of today. Major changes are likely to take place over the next decades in terms of human population numbers and lifespans, the environment and new technologies. Individuals with the right skills and knowledge will be better equipped to adapt to this uncertain future.

Being informed about science and mathematics is part of our culture. The democratic process should enable citizens to participate fully in a society which is increasingly influenced by scientific understanding and the creation and use of technology.

Evidence-based and taking into account a broad range of stakeholders’ views, the vision will set out the essential features of a future world-class, high-performing education system, particularly with respect to science and mathematics.