The number of pupils taking GCSEs in the specialist science subjects so highly valued by employers has surged, soothing business leaders’ fears that Britain is failing to produce a future generation of science-savvy workers to power its economy.

Entries in biology jumped by 18 per cent, exceeding 100,000 for the first time in many years. Physics entries rose even faster, climbing 21 per cent to 91,000, with chemistry 20 per cent higher at more than 92,000.