OCR Chief Executive, Greg Watson, has called upon the Royal Society of Chemistry to address the real issues around science exams rather than grandstanding.

Four factual errors have been identified in Dr Richard Pike's Today Programme interview:

1. He highlighted a question taken by 14 years olds in Key Stage 3 tests – these are created by the Government agency, the QCA (now known as QCDA), not by professional examination boards.
2. He accused boards of being commercial – the leading science board OCR is a charity and a department of the University of Cambridge with a strong educational mission.
3. He attacked what is learnt at GCSE – examinations test the National Curriculum put together by the Government agency, the QCA (QCDA), not exam boards.
4. He stated that attempts to make topics more relevant have been largely abandoned – OCR worked with Nuffield and York University to design an inspiring syllabus that makes science interesting and exciting. Early data shows that it is encouraging more children to go on to A Level.

Mr Watson went on to encourage Dr Pike to direct his remarks to those who:

• Had squeezed out practical in-class experimentation and coursework from exams
• Changed the national curriculum on science with minimal consultation with professional institutions
• Designed the Government's Key Stage tests

"If Government and regulators would let exam boards take back their professional freedom and use their educational expertise without hindrance, we are easily capable of dealing with many of the issues identified by Dr Pike." said Mr Watson.