#492: Climate Change in the Curriculum

The Geographical Association has worked with the Council for Subject Associations, UCL’s Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education, and other partners, to develop the following statement that highlights geography’s distinctive contribution to climate change and sustainability education in the publication, 

The key contributions of subjects to climate change and nature education: a curriculum policy proposal.

‘Geography is a curriculum heartland for climate education, sustainability and green skills from Early Years to A level. Its distinctive approach focuses on the interactions and interdependencies between people and their environment and develops the skills young people will need in order to understand, adapt to and mitigate against a changing climate. Geographical fieldwork also provides them with first-hand experiences of nature and landscapes. In this way, geography enables young people to better understand how and why our climate is changing, how this will impact and transform our economy, society and environment – locally, nationally and globally – and what can be done about it.’

Download the statement from UCL.

Reference

Kitson, A., Phillips, M. & Dillon, J. (2025). The key contributions of subjects to climate change and nature education: a curriculum policy proposal. 

Available from September 2025 at www.climateeducation.org.uk

What part will the GCSE Natural History potentially play in this area of the curriculum? One would hope it would have sustainability and climate change at its heart.

#401: Climate Action Panel

It's now almost 2 years since I started this blog.

I've just posted the 400th post on the blog, and there is still no sign of the next stage of the process towards adding this qualification as an official additional extra. There needs to be a proper consultation on the draft content of the specification which has been in the making for a while now, and sat on a Minister's desk in the previous government.

Cambridge University Press and Assessment recently hosted a Climate Action Panel event which included Stephen Morgan MP, Minister for Early Education.

The article here describes the event and includes some interesting snippets of information.

Read it to see more...

#373: OCR - Clarke Curriculum Review - ahead of the Francis Review

A cross posting from my 'At the Home of Geography' blog. This follows my work as Vice President: Education of the RGS.

We are preparing to submit evidence and support the consultation for the new curriculum review to discuss what we hope to see in a future curriculum with respect to the geography entitlement and the nature of what is studied. This will involve us discussing and consulting with the many stakeholders the RGS has.

There will also be some who want to ensure that there is space for the GCSE Natural History in the curriculum mix of course.

This report, chaired by Charles Clarke, and created by OCR takes a look at the curriculum and assessment ahead of the forthcoming Francis review. 

I had a look at the document as part of my work preparing for the RGS's support for teachers and gathering their views.

A review of the 11-16 Curriculum and Assessment, chaired by former Education Secretary Charles Clarke.

Report is here. (PDF download)

Written by Paul Steer, Head of Policy at OCR.

I've been fortunate to work on a few things linked with OCR's work over the years, and serve on their Consultative Forums for both Geography and Natural History.

This is one of several documents currently being explored as part of the work we are doing at the RGS on the Education Committee. It was produced after extensive involvement of stakeholders and 2000 young people.

Main findings (from OCR website):

The report’s recommendations include calls to:

• Reduce the number of assessments used at GCSE, spread them out across the two years of key stage 4, and review the appropriate use of non-exam assessments
• Reduce the content of the GCSE curriculum, allowing more time for the study of broader skills and competences
• Introduce a benchmarking qualification, taken on screen, in maths and English to highlight gaps in students’ knowledge and provide structure to Key Stage 3
• Redesign the English Language GCSE as a matter of urgency, and include a broader definition of English skills including media and spoken language

The report arrives as the current Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has commissioned a government review into curriculum and assessment, chaired by Professor Becky Francis. 

OCR is sharing the report and key findings with Bridget Phillipson and Becky Francis.

The report has generated a great deal of positive reaction. Geoff Barton, Chair of the Independent Commission of Oracy in England, said: “This report provides an important, evidence-based agenda for the new government’s curriculum and assessment review, and provides a welcome opportunity to keep what’s good in our education system but improve what’s not good enough.”