Content for a GCSE in natural history will be finalised once the curriculum and assessment review is complete, the Department for Education has said.
Schools minister Catherine McKinnell has confirmed that the government will move ahead with the new natural history GCSE, but the subject content will not be consulted on until after the curriculum review reports in the autumn.
The natural history GCSE was announced back in 2022 by then education secretary Nadhim Zahawi.
It was planned for roll out in 2025 at the time, but Labour had previously not confirmed whether it would move ahead with the GCSE.
Ms McKinnell said the content will be finalised after the review as the content of the new GCSE will need to build on curriculum content students have already learned about the natural world in science, geography and citizenship.
Exam board OCR said it will work with the DfE to develop the subject content, which is expected to cover nature, climate and conservation.
The curriculum review’s interim report was published earlier this week and said the curriculum should have a greater focus on sustainability and climate science to keep pace with a changing world.
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