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An exploration of the impact of science stratification in the English school curriculum: the relationship between 'Double' and 'Triple' Science pathways and pupils' further study of science

Francis, Becky; Henderson, Morag; Godec, Spela; Watson, Emma; Archer, Louise; Moote, Julie; (2023) An exploration of the impact of science stratification in the English school curriculum: the relationship between 'Double' and 'Triple' Science pathways and pupils' further study of science. Research Papers in Education 10.1080/02671522.2023.2283417. (In press). Green open access

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Abstract

Supply of students to ‘the science pipeline’ remains an important imperative for economic policy, and for individual life chances. In England, Science courses from age 14–16 have been divided into ‘Double’ and (extended) ‘Triple’ Science. This article draws on data from 6,053 students to investigate the effects of science course designation on progress to further science study and qualifications, as well as exploring the representation of students according to variables such as gender, ethnicity and social background. It finds that the study of Triple Science at age 16 is associated with future science study. Holding other variables constant, including attainment, those students that took Triple rather than Double Science are significantly more likely to pursue A Level Science (post 16/age 16–18), and to study Science at degree level. Hence Triple Science is significantly associated with an increase in undergraduate participation in science; however, for Double Science (the majority route), the likelihood of future participation is significantly diminished. The findings are analysed in relation to efficacy and social justice, arguing for further research to distil the explanation for these trends, and for reflection on access to Triple Science.

Type: Article
Title: An exploration of the impact of science stratification in the English school curriculum: the relationship between 'Double' and 'Triple' Science pathways and pupils' further study of science
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1080/02671522.2023.2283417
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1080/02671522.2023.2283417
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Keywords: Science education, access, Triple science, combined science, attainment, social justice
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Education, Practice and Society
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10181214
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