Scrapping key stage 3 SATs, science tests for year 6 pupils and abandoning subject-level inspection have resulted in a “significant de-emphasis” of the subject, Ofsted’s chief has warned following the release of PISA results.
Today’s results show England still ranks 13th in the world for science, the same level as in the 2018 test, whereas its position in maths improved from 17th to 11th and reading from 14th to 13th.
However while results for maths and reading havd been improving since 2012, scores in science have been falling steadily.
Amanda Spielman, the outgoing Ofsted chief inspector speaking at the official launch of the results this morning, said three “significant policy decisions” had contributed to this.
