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Written question asked by Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 May 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 May 2008. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Monday, 2 June 2008 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Ecology: Education

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of pupils studying for examinations in subjects relevant to the understanding of climate change.
Answer

The Department has produced new resources over the last academic year to embed sustainability in the curriculum and encourage young people to learn about issues like climate change. As part of the Action Plan for Geography, teaching resources have been developed for the new secondary curriculum to be taught in schools from September 2008, and these include modules on climate change. Environmental interaction and sustainable development are key concepts in the new Key Stage 3 geography curriculum. Making the curriculum more relevant for pupils and reforming teaching and learning through the Action Plan for Geography are likely to have a positive impact on the numbers of pupils choosing to study for geography GCSE.Issues affecting climate change are also covered in the secondary science curriculum. The Government are committed to increasing the number of young people studying for science qualifications and to help achieve this aim it has put in place a robust programme of work supported by £140 million investment over the next three years. This includes introducing a statutory entitlement for all students to study science courses leading to at least two GCSEs from September 2007; introducing a non- statutory entitlement from September 2008 for all pupils achieving level 6 at key stage 3 to study triple science GCSE, supported by the triple science support programme now in place; providing additional incentives to recruit more high quality science graduates into teaching; improving the quality of teaching by making available good quality continuing professional development through the network of Science Learning Centres; and providing good quality advice to key stage 3 pupils about the wide range of careers available to those who study science. The Department has also just embarked on a national communications strategy aimed at informing pupils, parents and others of the exciting opportunities that are open to students when they study science.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
476 c549-50W; 206186
Session
2007-08
Subjects
Curriculum Climate change Education Ecology
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk