National curriculum & A level sciences

The National Curriculum was introduced in 1989, and is changing the way science is taught in schools. Children between 5 and 16 are increasingly studying broad-based science, while at higher levels (e.g. A-Level), science continues to be offered as separate subjects. This has generated debate on the compatibility of the National Curriculum and science courses at higher levels.

This POSTnote examines the effect of the National Curriculum on science teaching and the implications for the future of GCSE and A- Level exams, as well as for higher education.