Do We Need a Natural History Qualification For UK Secondary Schools?

Conservationists and 'greens' have instigated and supported an Ordinary level General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in Natural History. The Oxford, Cambridge and Royal Society of Arts board, have worked on a programme for this proposal. In 2022, the former UK government eventually agreed to implement this. The present government have now, however, put the development 'on hold'. This is frustrating its supporters (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/02/natural-history-gcse-on-hold-as-qualification-seen-as-tory-initiative-claims-campaigner ). Perhaps, reasons for the delay include the basic question 'what's it for'? Some folk may simply see an Ordinary level GCSE in Natural History as a 'dilution' of Biological Sciences. It could certainly exclude many of the chemical, genetic and medical elements of traditional Biological Science. Ordinary level GCSE in Natural History could be accessed by folk with a minimal science background. There are, however, issues that can be included in a GCSE in Natural History that could prove beneficial even to students with a strong arts, languages, humanities or mathematical bias. Everyone, needs to appreciate they are part of the natural world. They also need to be reminded that, maintaining a human-friendly planet relies on the recycling of materials. A vibrant natural history (biodiversity) is part of that. It's also worth educating folk that appreciating natural history can be beneficial to their mental health, as well as being a source of inspiration for the arts etc. People need to appreciate that conserving particular organisms involves making choices. A GCSE in Natural History may actually help more of the populace appreciate the importance of recycling and limiting human environmental impacts. It wouldn't be a viable qualification for students intent on careers in biotechnology, medicine, dentistry or nursing. It could still, however, serve a useful purpose!