Science veto 'is crushing blow for new diploma programme'

Plans to include science as one of the Government's fourteen new educational diplomas have been vetoed by ministers.

The decision has been greeted with dismay by headteachers' leaders and university vice-chancellors.

They claim the decision not to go ahead with a science diploma will be a crushing blow to those hopeful of persuading employers and vice-chancellors to accept the diplomas for university entrance or employment.

Under the Government's plans, the new diplomas will cover a range of subjects - including construction and the built environment, engineering and health care - and be phased in from next year to run alongside GCSEs and A-levels.

Ken Boston, chief executive of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority - the Government's exams watchdog, has described the plan as "the most important worldwide development" in qualifications currently being undertaken by any government.

However, sceptics have been worried that the diplomas will be seen as "second-class" vocational qualifications.

Alan Johnson, the former Education Secretary, warned earlier this year that the plans could go "horribly wrong".

The idea for an applied science diploma stemmed from a series of regional meetings held to persuade vice-chancellors and business leaders to back the diplomas. It was seen as an attempt to mark out new territory for science qualifications by concentrating on the practical skills involved.

The plan for a science diploma won support within the QCA who put the idea to Mr Johnson earlier this year. However, he ruled it out with his officials claiming that the existing A-level science curriculum covered the subject in enough depth.

The decision will confirm the view of teachers' leaders that ministers were wrong to jettison the proposal in a government inquiry by the former chief schools inspector Sir Mike Tomlinson that there should be an over-arching diploma covering both vocational subjects and the A-level and GCSE system.

Meanwhile, a £100m plan to boost sports in schools was unveiled by Mr Brown yesterday in an attempt to ensure all pupils have the chance to take part in five hours of sport a week. The aim is to boost their fitness in the approach to the 2012 London Olympics.

Under the plan, every child would be entitled to two hours sport a week in the national curriculum - and have access to three hours after school.

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