§ Baroness Walmsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are reviewing the science GCSE and A-level curricula to consider the current provision for fieldwork; and [HL4295]
What assessment they have made of the resource implications for all secondary schools of providing science and biology fieldwork for pupils; and [HL4296]
Whether they had considered the document Teaching Biology Outside the Classroom: is it heading for extinction?, published by the Field Studies Council and the British Ecological Society; and [HL4297]
What assessment they have made of the implications for environmental awareness of the reduction in the number of school pupils who have access to fieldwork as part of the science and biology curriculum; and [HL4298]
What information they collect centrally regarding the number of secondary schools which do not provide science and biology fieldwork opportunities for all pupils; and what are their strategies for encouraging the provision of such opportunities. [HL4299]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandThere are no plans to review the provision for fieldwork within science GCSE or A-level. The existing science national curriculum at key stages 1 to 4, together with current GCSE and A-level syllabuses, encourages fieldwork. There is also a pilot at A-level which places particular emphasis on it. Additionally, all primary and secondary schools are required to make provision for Fieldwork for all pupils as part of the geography curriculum. The department has considered the documentTeaching Biology Outside the Classroom: is 131WA it heading far extinction? published by the Field Studies Council and the British Ecological Society. No assessment has been made of the implications for environmental awareness through pupils' access to fieldwork as part of the science and biology curriculum. The department does not collect information centrally about the provision of science or biology fieldwork opportunities for pupils. Growing Schools encourages schools to use the "outdoor classroom" as a resource in all subjects including science. The chief executive of the Field Studies Council and a representative of the National Association of Field Studies Officers are members of the Growing Schools National Advisory Group.