[susieq]

It's very much like the old grammar v s secondary school debate of years gone by. You were perceived to be more intelligent if you went to a grammar school (didn't do me much good!!!).

Grammar schools were geared more to academia i.e. languages, sciences, etc and secondary schools dealt with more vocational subjects.

I'm not sure that one type of school was 'better' than the other, or that attending a grammar school made you more capable of living in the outside world than a secondary school education did. All I do know is that being taught Latin, Physics and Chemistry has done me no good whatsoever!! Whereas, if I'd have been taught computer skills, I'd have been fine, as most of my working life has been spent at one form of keyboard or another!

I understand your concern though Sticks re technical staff, scientists etc. The sciences ARE seen as 'unglamourous' and therefore students may shy away from them BUT, if you are interested in the subject then you'll follow it through, whether that's at school or college.

Science IS still taught in school and pupils can, therefore, take it up to A level and beyond if they wish.

Media studies and the like are very 21st century though, it's the age we live in and people are interested in communication and technology. that also has it's place and without people being trained in these subjects we wouldn't have the variety and depth (excepting certain tabloids of course) of journalism and communication we have today.