Environmental science Alevel and Natural History GCSE

[VorpalSword]

Just getting ideas really and this is the best place to find out opinions.

What do you think of a Environmental Science A level? Would you be happy with your child picking it? Would it be a draw to a school that it was offered?

The Natural History (all about the natural world and nothing to do with history!) GCSE is set to be announced this week, probably for 2024 start. Again, would you be happy with this option? Would this be a plus that a school offers this?

From the proposal website: Natural history offers a unique opportunity to observe and engage with the natural world to develop a deeper understanding of the flora and fauna (life on Earth) within it. It is a study of how the natural world has been shaped and has evolved as well as how humans (as part of that natural world) influence, conserve and protect it. It is vital that we continue to develop our understanding of the natural world in order to safeguard the future.

teach.ocr.org.uk/what-is-natural-history?hsLang=en-gb

I would, I'm sorry, think neither were the best A levels to get into prestigious universities and that, for example, Biology might be a better choice

However they both sound really interesting and if combined with more conventional A level subjects they could be a good option for some.

They do so few A levels that it's generally not a good idea to do anything other than traditional 'vanilla' subjects.

Natural History GCSE sounds like it might be a good idea though. Too many kids nowadays are too detached from the natural world.

We were interested in the GCSE but it's a year too late for options in this house.

I think the nat history GCSE sounds very interesting dd and I filled in the surveys for it a while back when they were scoping for it. Dd wants to be a palaeontologist so it would fit well with that. I suppose she and I would both want assurance with it being new that doing it instead of something like geography wouldn't rule out options later.

I thought Env Sc already was offered at A level?

Nat Hist GCSE sounds fab!

Flagged the Natural History GCSE at school already; sounds really interesting, I'm sure would appeal to the students. We are finding Geography is declining in popularity and this might be more appealing? (whilst providing something for Geography teachers to teach).

Env Science is not new.

I also filled in the surveys for the nat history gsce and while it sounds interesting a lot of the subject matter is covered in science and geography already. I'm not sure why you need to specialise so early.

Env science A level good but not always necessary. I work in the environment sector and came to it via biology A levels.

There's a piece in The Times today.
I hope it's not driven solely by 'climate change strategy' - while that's obviously important that seems a bit of a negative focus iyswim?

New GCSE will focus on saving the planet

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/new-gcse-in-natural-history-will-focus-on-saving-the-planet-7zv0jzxbm?shareToken=043ed746be8c95fbfbb0f6745029d64c

Environmental science is not new but not currently offered at my school. I want to flag it and the new GCSE as something to think about.

I think both look good, though obviously don’t know the full details about natural history yet.

We'd be very interested in the Natural History GCSE for DS - he's not the most academic but this is really his interest area. I doubt his secondary would offer it though, unfortunately.

I don't know what kind of school you have, but unfortunately there is no way ours would offer either of those. The issue is a) funding, coupled with b) not being such a large school. The school is not even offering Geography A level this year, because only two want to do it, and that is not enough to justify funding it. Ditto with either French or Spanish MFL.
Given that, I think the chance that they could afford what is probably a niche subject is very low. My DD would no doubt be very interested in either (although too late for GCSEs, as finishing them this year). But I can't see many schools having the resources to add on subjects like this.

The GCSE will probably go the way of Astronomy: offered as an extracurricular if offered at all. Or only in schools which have no issues with recruiting Science teachers and enough money to run under subscribed courses.

As pps have said, Environmental Science isn’t new as our sixth form have been running it for a year or two. DS is planning on taking it at A Level in September.