§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what steps hus Department is taking to increase the number of field trips;available to(a) GCSE science and (b) A-level biology students; [171054]
(2) if his Department will commission research to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the state of fieldwork in secondary science education for 14 to 19 year olds; [171055]
(3) what assessment he has made of the report by the National Foundation for Educational Research on Outdoor Learning; and if he will make a statement. [171056]
§ Mr. MilibandWe have no plans to commission further research to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of fieldwork an secondary science education for 14 to 19 year olds, having only just received the findings of NfER's "Outdoor Learning Review", which we partly funded. My officials will meet the English Outdoor Council, who also partly funded the review, in the near future to discuss ways forward.
We are already working with the Field Studies Council, subject associations and others, together with our new national network of Science Learning Centres, to develop continuing professional development to improve teachers' confidence and skills in the planning, risk assessment and management of fieldwork. We see these as the key to developing both the quantity and quality of fieldwork in 14–19 science. This is in addition to the Science and Geography teaching resources provided by our Growing Schools programme.
1758W
§ Mr. MilibandThe information requested is as follows: