Science 5-16: a Statement of Policy

This publication, from Her Majesty's Stationery Office, sets out the government’s priorities for science education as expressed by them in 1985. It builds on the outcomes of a consultation on the document ‘Science Education in Schools’, which was published in 1982. It seeks to establish the principle of ‘Science for All’ and sets about defining this through addressing individual phases of education.

The document makes clear the priorities within science education. These are:

• science in primary education
• transition between phases
• middle schools
• science in secondary education
• science for students with special educational needs
• teacher supply and training.

This publication established the government’s belief that science should have a place in the education of all students of compulsory school age, whether or not they are likely to go on to follow a career in science or technology. All students should be properly introduced to science in the primary school, and all students should continue to study a broad science programme, well suited to their abilities and aptitudes, throughout the first five years of secondary education.

The Secretaries of State for Education and science and for Wales believed that each citizen needed to be able to bring a scientific approach to bear on the practical, social, economic and political issues of life. An introduction to scientific method contributes to the preparation of children and young people for adult and working life as well as to their intellectual development. It offers practical opportunities for careful observation; measurement; communication in a variety of forms; prediction from perceived patterns and regularities; appreciation of the relationship between cause and effect; and for the solving of problems in an everyday context.

The publication of ‘Science 5-16: A statement of policy’ was one of the key steps towards the establishment of the National Curriculum. It was published three years before the passing into law of The Education Reform Act of 1988. This law established the idea of a National Curriculum (NC) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The National Curriculum Council (NCC) set out also to support the implementation of the National Curriculum by providing support and guidance for teachers. It also identified it needed to keep the National Curriculum under review.