England’s children decline ‘significantly’ in science tests

By Sean Coughlan
BBC News family and education correspondent

TIMSS global tests

image copyrightTIMSS

image captionThe maths and science tests were taken by pupils in 64 countries

England’s secondary pupils have “significantly declined” in international tests in science – but primary maths scores have improved.

In secondary school science, England slipped from 8th to 14th – its lowest ranking in 25 years of the “TIMSS” tests, taken in 64 countries.

Northern Ireland was ahead of England at primary maths in sixth place.

Top places in maths and science have been won again by Singapore and East Asian countries including South Korea.

Classroom behaviour

The overall results show a strong link between safe, well-behaved classrooms and high achievement, say the organisers of the international tests.

Head teachers’ leader Geoff Barton said the dip in secondary science in England could reflect the difficulty that schools face in recruiting and retaining science teachers.

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) are tests taken every four years, with 580,000 pupils, aged nine to 10 and 13 to 14, taking the latest round in 2019 – before the Covid pandemic.

Secondary science: Year 9

  1. Singapore 608
  2. Taiwan 574
  3. Japan 570
  4. South Korea 561
  5. Russia 543
  6. Finland 543
  7. Lithuania 534
  8. Hungary 530
  9. Australia 528
  10. Ireland 523

(14. England 517, 8th in 2015, 9th in 2011, 5th in 2007)

Scores are based from a midpoint of 500 points, so all of these top ranked countries are above average. Scotland and Wales did not take part and Northern Ireland only entered at primary level.

England’s eighth place in primary maths is the highest ranking since the round of TIMSS tests in 2007.

But Northern Ireland stayed ahead at primary maths in seventh, although down one position from the previous tests in 2015.

A long-term overview of England’s test results, from the UCL Institute of Education, says that performance in maths has improved over the 25 years in which the tests have been taken – and the latest primary results have “significantly improved”.

image captionSingapore has the best results at primary and secondary school in international tests

Until this latest fall, England’s performance in secondary science had “remained broadly static” since 1995, says the analysis. But it has now “decreased significantly”.

In those same years, countries such as Singapore and South Korea have made “amazing” progress, says Dirk Hastedt, executive director of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, which runs the tests with Boston College in the US.

“They have been improving, improving, improving,” says Dr Hastedt about the East Asian countries that once again have dominated international education test results.

  1. Singapore 625
  2. Hong Kong 602
  3. South Korea 600
  4. Taiwan 599
  5. Japan 593
  6. Russia 567
  7. Northern Ireland 566 (6th in 2015, 6th in 2011)
  8. England 556 (10th in 2015, 9th in 2011, 7th in 2007)
  9. Ireland 548
  10. Latvia 546

‘Cultural’ support for schools

There are strong “cultural” factors driving the educational success of these East Asian countries, he says.

Parents put a high value on their children performing well in school – and teachers are shown great respect, says Dr Hastedt.

There is also a “negative side”, he says, in terms of parents putting too much pressure on children to do well.

  1. Singapore 616
  2. Taiwan 612
  3. South Korea 607
  4. Japan 594
  5. Hong Kong 578
  6. Russia 543
  7. Ireland 524
  8. Lithuania 520
  9. Israel 519
  10. Australia 517

(13. England 515; 11th in 2015, 10th in 2011, 7th in 2007)

Across all countries, the analysis of results found a strong link between good behaviour and high achievement.

Better results went alongside “fewer school discipline problems and safer and more orderly school environments”.

Pupils who faced bullying did much less well – and the study found about 6%-8% of pupils faced bullying every week.

Out of top 10 for science

The tests in England were taken by almost 10,000 pupils in 368 schools, in Years 5 and 9 – with results above average for maths and science, but behind the leading group of Asian countries.

  1. Singapore 595
  2. South Korea 588
  3. Russia 567
  4. Japan 562
  5. Taiwan 542
  6. Finland 555
  7. Latvia 542
  8. Norway 539
  9. United States 539
  10. Lithuania 538

(12. England 537; 15th in 2015, 15th in 2011)

(26. Northern Ireland 518; 27th in 2015, 21st in 2011)

Tina Isaacs, part of the academic team analysing England’s results, said the rise in primary maths was a “success” to be welcomed.

But Dr Isaacs said the drop in science was “disappointing” – and researchers would have to examine what had happened.

This would include whether it was linked to a decision from a decade before to end compulsory SATs tests in science.

Now in 14th place, England has previously been in the top 10 for secondary-level science, reaching the top five in 2007.

image copyrightiStock
image captionPrimary maths have improved in England, but scores are still below Northern Ireland

These tests were taken before Covid – and Dr Isaacs warned the gap between richer and poorer pupils, found in the results, was likely to have widened in the pandemic.

An analysis by the National Foundation for Educational Research highlighted a lack of training in technology for primary school teachers in England, compared with other high-performing countries.

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said the “strong performance” in maths was a “testament to the hard work of teachers and a reflection of the reforms we have put in place”.

“We know there is more to, including continuing to improve the quality of science teaching.”

Related Topics

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