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In an event held at the Natural History Museum, London<\/a>, the UK government\u2019s Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi announced that there would be a new Natural History GCSE<\/a>, which will be developed and brought into schools by 2025.<\/p>\n The announcement came as part of the Department of Education<\/a>\u2018s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are delivering a new natural history GCSE,\u201d said Zahawi, \u201cwhich will, I hope, inspire young people and empower them, give them that agency, not to just be anxious and distressed about climate change, but actually to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n The GCSE was first thought up by Mary Colwell<\/a>, the\u00a0director of Curlew Action<\/a> and author of Curlew Moon<\/em> and Tooth, Beak and Claw<\/em>, back in 2011 during a conversation with conservationist, and now-chair of Natural England<\/a>, Tony Juniper.<\/p>\n \u201cA GCSE in natural history could be a game-changer for the nature of Britain,\u201d she said. \u201cEveryone will have the opportunity to be nature-literate, to learn about British wildlife and how it relates to the rest of the world, which is essential for a sustainable, green future.\u201d<\/p>\n Since then, she has be petitioning the government for the GCSE and working with the OCR exam board to develop its content.<\/p>\n The GCSE in Natural History was formally announced this evening in the magnificent Natural History Museum. And these 2 legends were stalwarts and fellow travellers. Tim Oates from \u2066@ocrexams<\/a>\u2069 and \u2066@CarolineLucas<\/a>\u2069. ???????????? pic.twitter.com\/P4NP2SmowQ<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Mary Colwell (@curlewcalls) April 21, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>