Broadening skills for scientists - Liz Stacy
Bedales Senior Head of Science Liz Stacy has contributed to a Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) article about the need to reform Chemistry education to upskill our future scientists.
The demand for chemists is rising, but employers are increasingly looking for professionals with a broader, and more transferable, skillset as well as a sound knowledge of Chemistry. According to the RSC Future Workforce and Educational Pathways Report, employers seek candidates who possess strong communication skills, critical thinking abilities, teamwork, green skills, and digital literacy. Graduate scientist Annabelle Nicholson highlights that her company now hires individuals who are not only proficient in Maths and data but are also confident, change-oriented communicators. She notes, "The biggest problem to solve is poor communication."
Educational reform is necessary to meet these demands. Liz Stacy highlights that Bedales is looking to introduce more practical skills like report writing, presentations, and poster development to assess students in different ways. Charles Gill, a Biology teacher, points out the absence of a curriculum requirement for communication and collaboration skills, suggesting that changes won’t happen until exam boards address these gaps.
Digital literacy is another critical gap, with Liz noting that many students nationally leave school without basic spreadsheet skills. Similarly, critical thinking, which Inventor Rory Back believes is best developed through teamwork and project-based work, is not effectively fostered in traditional textbook-driven education. Green chemistry is also gaining attention, with Rory advocating for sustainability awareness in the curriculum, suggesting practical exercises like calculating the carbon savings from reducing material waste.
Some educators believe that reducing content in subjects like electron configuration or pH could make room for more relevant skills. Liz notes, "We’d be giving students really beneficial skills that would help them progress at A Level and beyond." Researcher turned Chemistry teacher Brotati Veraitch supports this, suggesting the removal of repetitive topics to create space for essential skills like data analysis.
Ultimately, there is a growing consensus that schools and employers must collaborate to reshape education, ensuring students are equipped with both the technical and transferable skills needed for future careers in chemistry and other scientific fields.
As part of its 10-year strategy, Bedales has committed to replace Science GCSEs with the School’s own Bedales Assessed Courses, recognised by UCAS. These innovative courses, which are now in development in liaison with external organisations including the RSC, will allow students to engage with more advanced content, including continuous and varied assessments that ensure both knowledge and skills are being assessed but that won't inhibit the use of innovative teaching like the current GCSE system.
Find out more about Bedales’ future-ready approach to Science teaching from students and teachers in this new film produced by the School.
The full RSC article can be read on their website here.