Leading education charity Field Studies Council, which advised the Government on the new GCSE, says the qualification will increase demand for field trips and residentials and open doors to green careers.
The UK Government has launched a public consultation on the proposed natural history GCSE, something the Field Studies Council says will be a ‘defining moment for environmental education’.
Part of the subject proposal includes compulsory fieldwork, which could take place locally or on residential trips around the UK. The charity has said that this consultation was recognition that experiences outdoors belong ‘at the heart of a rigorous, career-relevant education’.
This next step sees pupils, parents, teachers and industry providing opinions on the proposed subject content, which will cover UK habitats and wildlife, human influences on the natural world, and the science of climate change, biodiversity loss and conservation. Pupils will be required to undertake a minimum of 20 hours of fieldwork as part of the qualification.
Why fieldwork matters
Mark Castle, chief executive of the Field Studies Council, said the new GCSE makes a link between first-hand experience in the natural world and the green careers that are among the fastest-growing in the UK economy.
“Young people have been asking for this for a long time and it is good to see the consultation putting a clear focus on fieldwork, including the option of residential trips.
“The opportunity to spend 20 hours immersed in some of Britain’s most extraordinary landscapes, from upland moorland to coastal salt marshes, ancient woodland to freshwater habitats, is genuinely transformative.”
On the impact of outdoor learning, Castle added: “These are experiences that don’t just teach young people about nature, they connect them to it in a way that shapes their futures. We know from decades of experience that it is often just one day - or one week - outdoors that sparks a lifelong passion and opens the door to a career in the natural world.
“Our tutors have the privilege of seeing those lightbulb moments when young people’s curiosity is ignited by nature and their horizon expands. Harnessing their enthusiasm and providing a new study path has come at a time when we need people with practical green skills and knowledge.”
A response to demand
Not only have pupils been showing strong interest in the idea of a natural history qualification, but the green sector is seeing a rise in demand to work in the industry.
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “This new GCSE will help students build a strong understanding of the natural world, alongside the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to access careers in some of the UK’s fastest growing sectors.”
With around 900 UK businesses in nature-related sectors raising £2.8 billion in 2025 and supporting 21,000 jobs, the Field Studies Council says the qualification’s emphasis on practical skills - including data collection, statistical analysis and species identification - directly mirrors what employers in environmental science, conservation and land management are looking for.
The consultation is running until 4th September and schools, educators and the wider sector are encouraged to submit responses.
Find out more information about the consultation and submit your thoughts here.
