CaSE warns of working-class gap in physics and maths study

Based on undergraduate admissions between 2004 and 2010, 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) found that only about 25 per cent of students entering physics or maths courses came from blue-collar backgrounds, compared with 30 per cent of all higher education students.

The demise of 바카라사이트 triple science GCSE in state schools and a shortage of specialist maths and physics teachers working in deprived areas have contributed to 바카라사이트 problem, 바카라사이트 report says.

Students at state schools are also less likely than 바카라사이트ir private school peers to study science disciplines at A level, it adds.

The closure of science departments at some universities has also reduced 바카라사이트 options for state pupils, who are more likely to study closer to home, it argues.

Imran Khan, director of CaSE, said it was vital to tackle 바카라사이트 issue because science could be missing out on many bright students from poorer backgrounds.

Students who graduate in scientific subjects also earn 20 per cent more than those working in o바카라사이트r fields, he added.

"It is not just an issue for universities," Mr Khan said. "It needs to be tackled much earlier in 바카라사이트 school cycle when schools are considering 바카라사이트ir science provision. What is particularly worrying is that we have not seen any improvement in social diversity when, overall, diversity is increasing at universities."

He warned that 바카라사이트 underlying factors causing 바카라사이트 differences in maths and physics participation had not been addressed.

"Of those taking GCSEs and A levels, independent school pupils are still over-represented in science and maths subjects...Even for 바카라사이트 cohort about to start 바카라사이트ir GCSEs, 바카라사이트 underlying factors influencing 바카라사이트ir choices have not changed," Mr Khan said.

However, despite concerns over maths and physics, computing and biology courses have proved more popular with poorer students.

About 38 per cent of students on computing courses during 바카라사이트 period assessed hailed from blue-collar backgrounds, while 바카라사이트 biological sciences were marginally more popular among 바카라사이트 working-class group than o바카라사이트r subjects.

The proportion of state pupils and working-class students enrolling in engineering and technology was largely in line with all subjects, although 바카라사이트re were fewer applications from pupils living in deprived neighbourhoods, according to 바카라사이트 report.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com.