Concern at the numbers taking sciences

Ina recent article from the Guardian (15.02.2011), the education editor, Jeevan Vasagar, describes how the Royal Society is calling for A-levels to be overhauled to tackle the declining number of teenagers studying sciences.

Resources and downloads

The Guardian newspaper is embarking on an exciting new project that will give teachers access to 70,000 pages of lesson plans and modern interactive teaching materials, absolutely free. From Saturday 15.02.2011 any teacher can access the vast repository of free resources read more

UK performing poorly in the numbers doing Maths after 16

Writing in Tuesday's Education Guardian (14/12/2010), Warwick Mansell reports that results from an international testing study in early December triggered a fresh round of soul searching after they revealed that the UK is falling down the global rankings for reading, science and particularly maths!

New research shows England, Wales and N. Ireland finishing bottom of another kind of league table, which compares countries according to the number of young people persisting with any kind of maths education post -16.

Addressing the gender divide - making the case for Physics

If one accepts what futurologists tells us that retention of STEM subjects provides one with the best opportunity to be employed in the high end skilled sector of work in the years ahead, then it is indeed encouraging to read this piece from the Joint Council for Qualifications published at the beginning of September.
  

Physics: number of A-level entrants soars beyond 30K

Languages - a crucial addition to today's CV

Giving up a language too soon can affect one's career prospects.  In our competitive global market place the demand is increasing exponentially and employers are valuing multi lingual employees who have the skills and expertise to operate in international environments.
I'm indebted to Kathryn Board, Chief Executive of CILT National Centre for Languages, who contributed such an informative article on modern languages in the Independent 15th October 2009. Read more

What careers don't you need mathematics for?

"Theatre design, climate change modelling, designing computer games: What careers don't you need mathematics for?

In December 2009, Kate Bellingham, the government's career champion for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects launched http://www.mathscareers.org.uk/.

Talking about how maths made her career, Kate suggests that the great thing about maths was that the further you took it, the further it takes you. Her passion for the subject underlined how much she'd done in her own career to date: physics, sound engineering, teaching, TV presenting (formerly on BBC's Tomorrow's World), promomoting science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for the government.

Why design should be rated alongside science

Even though this particular blog site sets out to look at CEIAG provision for the 16 to 19 year olds, I  took some time out recently to read and reflect on an interesting article  in the Belfast Telegraph outlining plans for primary school children to be given careers advice as young as seven.

Are hospitality ambassadors coming to your school?

A new tourism and hospitality initiative is aiming to bring dynamic industry professionals into the classroom and lecture theatres of schools and colleges and to careers events throughout N.Ireland. People1st click here has developed this particular initiative supported by DEL and the NI Tourist Board through the Skills Action Plan for Hotel and Tourism.  People1st are recruiting those people within its industry who have had a successful career and are passionate about outlining the advantages of the industry to the next generation of employees/recruits across the province.

Does Subject Choice really determine life chances?

Is university entrance now the real National Lottery? Trevor Fisher, Head of History at a Midlands Tertiary College writing in 'the Independent' (17/9/09) is posing this question in the light of changes to A Level grading in 2010 and the lack of consistency regarding university entrance requirements.

Importance of Maths at GCSE level

From my career guidance work with young people over the past month I have been encouraging them to ensure that they can attain at least level "B" grade at GCSE.