With STEM high on the agenda, Dr Rachel Bibby looks at the UK’s global performance in science education and how one school is setting the gold standard

In December, the latest PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) results were announced, causing jubilation and commiseration across the world.

In total, 75 countries participated in PISA 2015, all part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In England, 5,600 students in 206 schools took part in the study, which focuses on science, mathematics and reading.

PISA has been used to compare the reading, mathematics and science performance of pupils across the globe every three years since 2000. But the headlines from this year’s results have tended to focus on the negatives: England, Scotland and Northern Ireland failed to make the top three countries in any area. But is this the whole picture?

Register now, read forever

Thank you for visiting SecEd and reading some of our content for professionals in secondary education. Register now for free to get unlimited access to all content.

What's included:

  • Unlimited access to news, best practice articles and podcast

  • New content and e-bulletins delivered straight to your inbox every Monday and Thursday

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here