Entries for the double award science GCSE increase

Following students across the country collecting their GCSE results, it has been revealed that there has been a 4.8 per cent increase in the number of entries for the double award science GCSE.

The double award science GCSE, where pupils are awarded two GCSE grades after studying  Biology, Chemistry and Physics, has been fuelled by the ‘Attenborough effect’ which is encouraging young people’s interest in science. Programmes such as Blue Planet II have been credited with sparking a renewed interest in the environment.

Derek Richardson, vice president at Pearson, said: “We know that young people are increasingly concerned about the world around them and want to make a difference. The ‘Attenborough effect’ is fuelling an interest in science, and young people are focusing their studies towards the world of work where there’s an increasing demand for STEM careers.”

There was also an uptake in Computing, with the number of female entries for the subject increasing by 14.5 per cent, while there was a 5.9 per cent increase for boy students.

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