Diploma in Science

See http://www.sciencediploma.co.uk. Development of this new qualification aimed at 14-19 year olds had been proceeding, not without some controversy, towards introduction at Advanced level in (September) 2012 following the Foundation and Higher levels in 2011. The Society had had some engagement with the development teams, seeking to emphasise the central position of statistics throughout the entire field of scientific enquiry.

In April 2010 the Society responded formally to a QCDA consultation on the "line of learning" for the Advanced Diploma. Please follow the link for a  transcript of the Society's response (PDF file, about 87 KB). In May 2010 the Society responded formally to a corresponding Ofqual consultation on draft criteria for the Advanced Diploma. Please follow the link for a  transcript of the Society's response (PDF file, about 73 KB). Both responses again emphasised the central position of statistics in science, and argued that study of statistics needed to be more explicit and not restricted to a shallow level.

On 7 June 2010, the Department for Education announced that "development of the new Diplomas in science, humanities and languages, due to be introduced from September 2011, will cease immediately". Please follow the link for the Department for Education announcement (which also covers other important matters not connected with the Diploma).