£300 for an A-level in physics

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

An industry think-tank has called for students to be offered the financial incentive to take courses such as maths and physics.

It also said scientific A-levels should garner extra university entrance points to make them more attractive than subjects seen as soft options, such as media studies.

In its report published yesterday, the Council for Industry and Higher Education described the danger to UK industry of a continuing decline in the sciences at school level.

It said the number of A-level pupils studying so-called Stem subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) had slumped 7.5 per cent between 2001 and 2005. And A-level maths saw a 15 per cent decline over the same period.

Under the proposals, payment would be conditional on an exam grade of C or better in maths, biology, chemistry, physics, design and technology, and computer science.

Council chief executive Richard Brown said: "We wanted to give pupils some additional incentive when they are wavering at 16 or 17.

"In 2005, 176,000 people started Stem A-level courses. If they were all paid £300, that would be £53million, not a vast amount when you consider the billions spent on the education budget."