28/08/09 Increase the Uptake of Science and Mathematics A level
Writing in a letter to the Times Education Supplement published today, Hilary Leevers urged for radical steps to be taken to increase uptake of science and mathematics A levels and discussed the merits of awarding more points for them in order to do so.
Read the letter

27/08/09 Science and Mathematics GCSE results
CaSE Assistant Director, Hilary Leevers, commented that she was "absolutely delighted" as the steep rise in triple science entries, although she noted that the independent and selective sector account for a much higher proportion of the entries than they should. Mathematics entries were also up although there was a change in performance with gender that needs to be understood.
Read the press release

25/08/09 New Member
CaSE is pleased to announce that the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine is joining as an organisational member. We look forward to working with them.

20/08/09 Science and Mathematics A level results
CaSE attended this morning's Joint Council for Qualifications release of A level results. As well as considering the results, attendees engaged in a lively discussion on the relative difficulty or severity of marking different A levels - with languages and the sciences judged by many, including CaSE, to be amongst the most challenging. Commenting on this morning's A level results, Dr Hilary Leevers, CaSE’s Assistant Director, warned against complacency commenting: “Overall there was little change in the number and no change in the proportion of science A levels, although it was positive to see interest in physics finally picking up... Happily, increases in mathematics and further mathematics continue to be sustained.”
Read the press release

18/08/09 Conservatives propose more points for science and mathematics.
The Conservatives have been in the news this week discussing their plans to reward science and mathematics students with more points in school league tables. Many perceive that it is harder to do well in these subjects, so there is little incentive for schools to encourage students to take them. CaSE proposed a similar scheme in July last year but suggested that assessing the difficulty of different subjects, and thereafter maintaining relative differences, would be fraught with complication. It would be easier to justify more points because of the strategic importance of encouraging more students to take mathematics and science. The perception and strong evidence that these subjects are also more difficult helps the argument but is not essential.
Read the briefing.

12/08/09 CaSE met with Nick Bowes from ACME (the Advisory Committee for Mathematics Education) to discuss policy ideas and plans for work in the run up to the general election.

04/08/09 Meetings with Rolls-Royce and staff of the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee.