Earth sciences face a crisis of sustainability

I’m a working professional and have been out of the geology field for nine years. However, the skills, qualitative analysis techniques and exploration geology problem solving are skills needed in many areas of employment and stood me in good stead. I’ve had a portfolio career and would say that my geology degree gave me the preparation to spend a small amount of time in HSEC and a move across to communications and the conceptual ability to study graphic design as a second degree.

The reason the article suggests for the fall in A level Geology students is incorrect. The main reason for the fall in A level Geology students was the introduction of the new linear A level Geology courses in 2017, for first examination in 2019. The new A level Geology courses are content heavy, with higher level mathematical requirements, which has made them unattractive to potential A level students when compared to many of the other subjects on offer. In the past most students took 4 AS level subjects and then dropped down to 3 A level subjects in their second year. My experience of having taught Geology in a sixth form college and a school for 24 years is that many students picked Geology as their 4th option being unsure about taking up a 'new' subject for A level. Then having enjoyed the first year of the course, decided to stay on for the full A level. This is no longer the case.