Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Gibb and Heather Wheeler

Monday 23rd October 2023 Commons Chamber

[Nick Gibb]

Increasing the number of subjects under the Advanced British Standard means that students will have the benefits of the greater breadth of study that my hon. Friend references from his own experience as a surfing dude. The intention is that majors will have comparable depth and rigour to A-levels so that they can support progression, including to university.

[Mrs Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con)]

20. What steps her Department is taking to support people aged 16 to 19 in education.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Gibb and Heather Wheeler

Monday 2nd March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con)]

9. What assessment she has made of recent trends in the number of pupils taking up STEM subjects.

[The Minister of State, Department for Education (Mr Nick Gibb)]

Record numbers of students are taking mathematics and the sciences at A-level—15% more students took physics in 2014 than in 2010. Maths is now the single most popular A-level, with an increase of 13% since 2010, but more needs to be done. We need even more young people to take these subjects at A-level. That is why we are supporting the Your Life campaign headed by Edwina Dunn of Dunnhumby, which aims to increase the numbers taking maths and physics A-level by 50% over the next three years.

[Mr Gibb]

Indeed. We want all young people to have the right careers advice so that they take informed decisions about their future and so that they are aware of all the options available—including, as my hon. Friend said, apprenticeships—and of the advantages that studying maths and the sciences to A-level can bring.

[Heather Wheeler]

Will my hon. Friend join me in congratulating students from the William Allitt school in my constituency, who have been shortlisted as finalists in the national science and engineering competition, The Big Bang UK young scientists and engineers fair at Birmingham NEC from 11 to 14 March? This is the UK’s biggest celebration of technology, engineering and maths for young people.

[Mr Gibb]

I am pleased to add my congratulations to students from the William Allitt school. The national science and engineering competition, which receives £350,000 of funding from the Government, is an excellent example of a positive initiative that helps to promote and to recognise achievement in STEM subjects. I wish my hon. Friend’s constituents every success in the final stage of the competition, and I look forward to attending the Big Bang fair next week.