Practical Science Spending in Secondary Education

The Science Community Representing Education (SCORE) recently released a report detailing the findings of their research into science spending in secondary schools. The results of their report raise cause for concern, with findings showing that many schools and academies across the country are significantly under‐resourced.

The report, entitled Under the Microscope: The State of Resourcing of Practical Science in Secondary Schools and Sixth‐Form Colleges in England, presents findings from the 557 responses returned by secondary schools and sixth‐form colleges in England. It highlights several important issues relating to funding for the three science subjects.
We have presented some of the findings below. You can read the full report here.

Physics

Almost 1 in 3 schools reported to have access to more than 90 per cent of the required items to perform practical physics, while 4 in 10 schools claimed to have access to less than 70 per cent of those items required.

Chemistry

25 per cent of schools felt they were able to access more than 90 per cent of the indicative items required for pre‐16 chemistry, and for post‐16 chemistry this figure falls to below 20 per cent. Only 1 in 6 schools have access to more than half of the indicative items they require for post‐16 chemistry.

Biology

Of the three science topics, biology was the least well-resourced at a pre‐16 level. Just over 60 per cent of respondents believed that they had access to the correct items in sufficient quantities and in proper working order to carry out practical biology, compared with around 70 per cent each for Chemistry and Physics. Of the indicative items required for pre‐16 biology, less than 15 per cent of schools could access more than 90 per cent. For post‐16 biology, the number falls to below 12 per cent.

General feelings towards science budgets

A large proportion of maintained schools and academies (nearly a third, and nearly a fifth respectively) are quite, or very, dissatisfied with the resourcing of science consumables and equipment. Just under 30 per cent of maintained schools and 25 per cent of academies are also unhappy with the amount of technician support available to them, with 70 per cent of respondents hiring a science technician only during term time.

Perhaps even more concerning is the fact that many schools and academies reported spending significant portions of their science budget on reprographics. In maintained schools, just over 30 per cent of the science budget was spent on reprographics, with a similar situation in academies, where the portion of budget spent on reprographics was just over 28 per cent.

Science supplies and equipment

Better Equipped aims to provide school science supplies to customers for less, allowing them to minimise their spend or make their science budget go further. As well as our extensive existing range of equipment, supplies and chemicals, we may be able to source any additional items you require. For more information please contact, Better Equipped today.