Safety ‘not squeezing student experience’

Students are missing out on science practicals and school trips because of scarce resources - not safety concerns, say MPs.

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, in examining the recent decline in such activities, found that there “was no credible evidence” that safety concerns were the cause of the decline.

The committee’s chair, Andrew Miller, said: “We heard evidence that the pressures of managing a busy curriculum, challenges in finding time for specialist continuing professional development, or time to get out of the classroom, are all factors contributing to a decline in the quality of practical science.”

The committee’s report said the perception that health and safety concerns were having a negative impact was “misconceived”.