Letter signed by 27 British scientists & educators

‘Don’t change the National Curriculum!’

As a result of the recent hubbub in England about teaching creation in state-funded schools, several influential evolutionists are pressuring the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) to bar schools from teaching alternatives to evolution.  A group of 27 scientists and educators¹ sent a letter to Education Secretary Estelle Morris, asking her to continue to allow ‘an open and honest approach to this subject under the National Curriculum.’

Professor Andy McIntosh of Leeds University, spokesman for the group, explained the purpose of the letter: ‘My colleagues and I want schools to teach children how to think—not what to think.  I am surprised that other scientists would only support teaching and learning in Darwinian evolution—education should be analytical not dogmatic, particularly when dealing with science.’

The full text of the letter follows:

Dear Secretary of State

Teaching of Origins in Schools

The undersigned academics, scientists and educationists are deeply concerned that the reasonable position taken by the QCA in National Curriculum science and by Ofsted concerning the teaching of origins at secondary level has been challenged. (We write as a group of individuals and consequently the views expressed do not necessarily represent the view of those organisations with which we are associated).

The National Curriculum requires that Darwinian evolution is put across as the dominant scientific theory but also requires that pupils are taught "how scientific controversies can result from different ways of interpreting empirical data". Science should be taught with the critical appraisal of alternative theories. Such debate concerning opposing theories provides rigour in scientific method and contributes to the development of critical thinking by pupils.

We find it most inappropriate that some well-meaning scientists have given the impression that there can only be one scientific view concerning origins. By doing so they are going way beyond the limits of empirical science which has to recognise, at the very least, severe limitations concerning origins. No one has proved experimentally the idea that large variations can emerge from simpler life forms in an unbroken ascendancy to man.  A large body of scientific evidence in biology, geology and chemistry, as well as the fundamentals of information theory, strongly suggest that evolution is not the best scientific model to fit the data that we observe.

We ask therefore that, where schools so choose, you ensure an open and honest approach to this subject under the National Curriculum, at the same time ensuring that the necessary criteria are maintained to deliver a rigorous education.

Yours sincerely

Andy McIntosh  BSc, PhD, DSc, FIMA, CMath, FInstE, CEng, FinstP
Professor of Thermodynamics and Combustion Theory, University of Leeds

Edgar Andrews  BSc, PhD, DSc, FInstP, FIM, C.Eng, C.Phys.
Emeritus Professor of Materials Science, University of London.

David Back  BSc, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Liverpool

Stuart Burgess  BSc, PhD, CEng, MIMechE
Reader in Engineering Design, University of Bristol

Sylvia Baker  BSc, MSc
Head, Trinity Christian School, Stalybridge

Nancy Darrall  BSc, MSc, PhD, MIBiol
formerly Research Officer, Central Electricity Generating Authority

Graham Everest  BSc, PhD
Professor of Mathematics, University of East Anglia

Ian Fuller  BSc,  PhD
Lecturer in Physical Geography, Northumbria University

Nick Fuller BSc,  PhD
Post-doctoral research (Molecular Biology), University of Warwick

Colin Garner  BTech, BEng, PhD, CEng, MIMechE, MSAE
Reader (Applied Thermodynamics), University of Loughborough

Paul Garner  BSc, MIInfSc, FGS
Senior Information Scientist, Cambridge Science Park

D B Gower  BSc, PhD, DSc, CChem, FRSC, CBiol, FIBiol
Emeritus Professor of Steroid Biochemistry, University of London

Terry Hamblin  MB, ChB, DM, FRCP, FRCPath
Professor of Immunohaematology, University of Southampton

Arthur Jones  BSc, MEd, PhD, CBiol, MIBiol
Science Education Consultant

Nigel Jones  MS, FRCS
Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne

Geoffrey Lewis  MA, FSA, FMA, HonFMA
formerly Director of Museum Studies, University of Leicester
past President, International Council of Museums

Derek Linkens  BSc(Eng), MSc, PhD, DSc(Eng), ACGI, CEng, FIEE, FinstMC
Research Professor in Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield
formerly Dean of Engineering, University of Sheffield.
past President, Institute of Measurement and Control

Jeff Lowe  MSc, MCGI, DMS
formerly Principal Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University

John Peet  BSc, MSc, PhD, CChem, FRSC
formerly Science Coordinator, Guildford College of Further and Higher Education

David Rosevear  PhD, CChem, FRSC
formerly Senior Lecturer, University of Portsmouth

Nigel Robinson  BSc, PhD
Post-doctoral research, University of Leicester (Currently teaching Chemistry)

Stephen Taylor  BSc, MEng, PhD, ACGI, MIEE
Reader in Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool

David Tyler  BSc, MSc, PhD, CertEd, MinstP, CPhys, ACFI
Senior Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University

David Walton  BSc, PhD
Visiting Lecturer, Dept of Computer Science, University of Durham
Information Systems Consultant

David Watts  PhD, FRSC, FInstP, FADM
Professor of Dental Biomaterials Science, University of Manchester Dental School

Tim Wells  BSc, PhD
Lecturer in Neuroscience, University of Cardiff

Bill Worraker  BSc, PhD
Senior (Software) Development Engineer, Hyprotech UK

1. This was an ad hoc group, which came together to sign this letter.  The letter was not sent by any organization.  The views expressed by the signatories do not necessarily represent the views of their respective organizations. Return to text.