From RHONA BRIGGS
As a fifth-year student in a Scottish school currently sitting her higher
exams, I have been following the debate on science teaching in English
schools with interest (Letters, 7 and 28 May).
In Scotland, the education system is quite different from that in England.
We study seven standard grade subjects (the Scottish equivalent to GCSEs),
then up to five highers. The Certificate of Sixth Year Studies carries study
to a higher level still, and in science subjects includes a project for
a considerable number of marks.
As in England, the system is not perfect; there is concern that the
transition between S Grade and Higher is too difficult, and studying for
five Highers in one year is especially stressful (that much I can testify
to!), but the advantages of the extra choice are considerable. In my school,
there are many pupils who study higher science subjects, and the Scottish
system turns out linguists who are scientifically literate, doctors who
can speak foreign languages, scientists with an understanding of history
and lawyers who can count their own money . . .
Perhaps if English pupils were given more choice, more of them would
choose science and a whole new world would open up to them.
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Rhona Briggs Lanarkshire, Scotland
