Natural history GCSE to teach teenagers to plant wildflower-friendly gardens

Long-awaited course to examine human effects on natural world and explore everyday ways to aid biodiversity School pupils will learn how to plant a wildflower-friendly garden, according to long-awaited plans announced on Thursday for a natural history GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Campaigners have for more than a decade called for the study of biodiversity loss and global heating to be introduced as a dedicated subject in classrooms across the country, but despite a curriculum being previously drawn up, its launch has faced repeated delays. The government has published a consultation on the curriculum for the GCSE, with plans for students to study three core areas: habitats and wildlife in the UK; human influence on the natural world; and a study of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss and conservation. The naturalist, explorer, presenter and writer Steve Backshall said that with this generation expected to confront some of the “biggest challenges humanity has ever faced”, the qualification would give them the knowledge and tools to “not just understand those challenges, but to be part of the solution”. The subject content will also examine human influences on the na