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The new GCSE Natural History qualification – threat or opportunity?

The new GCSE Natural History qualification – threat or opportunity?

5 May 2023
Read time: 3mins59

‘it will be interesting to see to what extent the new specification for GCSE Natural History is complementary to – or competes against – the existing geography courses’.

Alan Parkinson

In April 2022, the Education Secretary at the time, Nadhim Zahawi, confirmed the proposed introduction of a new GCSE in Natural History. In a speech at the Natural History Museum, attended by Alan Kinder of the Geographical Association, he said:

‘Education is one of our key weapons in the fight against climate change… It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that young people are already very committed to a more sustainable planet. We should be proud of this, and I want to do everything I can to encourage this passion so they can be agents of change in protecting our planet. The new Natural History GCSE will offer young people a chance to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of this amazing planet, its environment and how we can come together to conserve it.’

Of course, this knowledge and understanding is also provided by GCSE Geography, and it will be interesting to see to what extent the new specification for GCSE Natural History is complementary to – or competes against – the existing geography courses which are well established and have not had a recent change.

I had the chance to hear Mary Colwell talk about her idea back in 2018 and expressed my concerns with her then about the narrowing of option blocks where there were limited choices because of timetable restrictions and staffing in particular schools.

There were also questions about who would teach the course – would it perhaps be most likely to be taught by geography and biology teachers working together? What training courses and resources would be made available? Would schools be happy to move from a known to an unknown in an era of league tables? How would the content overlap with geography and what would be the subject’s unique ‘identity’? Would the ideals of young people knowing the names of species result in lists to learn rather than deep engagement with nature?

The loss of this natural knowledge had previously been discussed by Robert MacFarlane. This led to him working on the Lost Words spell books with illustrator Jackie Morris, which has been turned into a musical event as well.

OCR is the awarding body that has been developing the new specification, and has been working away in the background, presumably, developing a draft specification and other resources which will have to satisfy OFQUAL and other organisations before it goes out to further consultation, and is made available to those within the geography community who will no doubt be interested to see whether they want to offer it within their own schools.

If you are interested in letting OCR know more about your thoughts and help to shape the support for teachers, there is a survey currently live. Take the survey here.

In an interview which was featured in The Guardian in September 2021, Professor Justin Dillon, from the University of Exeter’s Graduate School of Education, who is also the President of the National Association for Environmental Education, said:

‘The course will compete with very popular and well-established GCSEs in biology, chemistry and geography. It will struggle to gain a foothold in an already crowded curriculum. If the Education Secretary is serious about the need for young people “to gain a deeper knowledge of the natural world around them” then he needs to ensure that all subjects in the school curriculum address environmental and sustainability issues. To do otherwise is to betray another generation of young people.’

He was also curious about the content of the course, and what might be included which would be particularly unique.

‘What actually will be taught is not clear. Will they learn about the science that exposes badger culling as a failure? Will they be taught why the Secretary of State for the Environment, George Eustice, granted an application by the National Farmers Union and British Sugar for emergency authorisation of thiamethoxam, known to kill pollinators in huge numbers, for the treatment of sugar beet seed? Somehow, I doubt it – it will probably be good for the sales of Ladybird books but not the lives of Britain’s ladybirds.’

I am particularly interested in the opportunity to draw on the wealth of recent books on place and landscape, draw in conservation organisations such as the Parks Trust, connect with projects such as London National Park City and Slow Ways, encourage young people to spend more time outside and engage with music, poetry, art and other cultural offerings inspired by nature.

Along with Anthony Bennett, we have started a Facebook group, which already has over 750 members – a sign of the interest that there is out there for the new course, several years out from first teaching. I’ve also started a blog (of course) to contain my thoughts and this will grow over the next two years as more detail emerges. This will also filter out some of the resources that I’ve started to think about, as I think I might pursue introducing the course in my own school if the final specification lives up to the initial expectations.

You can follow the blog here: https://gcsenaturalhistory.blogspot.com/

I’d be interested in hearing your views on the new course.

Written by Alan Parkinson
Head of Geography, King’s Ely Junior
GA Immediate Past President 2022–23