New natural history GCSE developed with fieldwork component
A new GCSE in natural history is being developed, featuring fieldwork, and has been endorsed by naturalist Steve Backshall.
The Full Story
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A new GCSE in natural history is being developed, with a strong emphasis on fieldwork, and has received the endorsement of naturalist and wildlife presenter Steve Backshall. The qualification aims to give students the opportunity to learn about the world around them by studying habitats ranging from urban and woodland to farmland and marine environments. A minimum of 20 hours of fieldwork will be a core component.
The new GCSE has been shaped by experts from the Natural History Museum in collaboration with the government. It is designed to be accessible to all students, including those in urban areas, where fieldwork can be carried out in local parks or on school grounds. As one participant in a youth programme run by the Somerset Wildlife Trust put it, the subject is about 'the wildlife on your doorstep, no matter where that doorstep is.'
Steve Backshall said the qualification is unique because it goes beyond conventional subjects like biology and geography. 'It's unpicking habitats, it's unpicking how animals fit into those environments, how they interact with each other, the challenges those animals might face,' he said. 'It's a massive, massive subject.'
The GCSE is intended to inspire young people from all backgrounds to pursue careers in environmental industries. A consultation is now under way, seeking views from pupils, parents, teachers and those working in green industries. If approved, the natural history GCSE is expected to be taught in schools from 2025.
On screen
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Key Claims
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| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| A new GCSE in natural history will require at least 20 hours of fieldwork, was developed with experts from the Natural History Museum, and is expected to be introduced in schools from 2025. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focused on the local angle, featuring a youth programme run by the Somerset Wildlife Trust at West Haymore National Nature Reserve. It highlighted the enthusiasm of young people and the endorsement of Steve Backshall, with a positive tone emphasising accessibility and the importance of the subject in the context of the climate crisis.
- “I think the way the climate crisis is moving at the moment it's becoming quite evident that a lot of the adaptation and mitigation of it is going to come down to our generation and because of that it's kind of crucial that we are the ones who know how to do it because we can't rely on other people to fix it for us.”
- “It really is about the wildlife on your doorstep, no matter where that doorstep is. And I think that's really important that this has to be something accessible.”
- “While it might contain some elements of conventional core subjects like biology and geography and geology, actually it is far more based on natural history, nature, wildlife.”
Broadcast Timeline
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