This one day online conference will discuss recent proposals for a new qualification in Natural History, as well as wider considerations around incorporating environment and sustainability themes into education provision in England.

Keynote speakers will include Sir Tim Smit, Co-Founder, Eden Project, as well as contributions from Craig Bennett, Chief Executive Officer, The Wildlife Trusts; and Paul Steer, Head of Policy, OCR.

The discussion takes place with the proposal for a new GCSE in Natural History put forward by OCR being considered by the Department for Education - as well as in the context of campaigning by youth movements, such as Teach the Future and School Strike for Climate, for the integration of further discussion on climate change into school curricula, and faster action on tackling climate change.

The conference will also be an opportunity to discuss the role of the education sector in improving understanding of the natural world, the practicalities of incorporating this into education, and fostering an awareness of environmental issues, especially in the context of wider discussion around policy priorities for tackling climate change ahead of the COP26 conference being hosted in Glasgow later this year.

Overall, areas for discussion include:
• the composition and development of new qualifications
• supporting teachers to deliver a green curriculum and the practicalities of finding timetable time and the necessary resources
• the delivery of outdoor learning, and issues around accessibility and inclusion
• green skills, carbon literacy, and progression into further study

This online event will include:
• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates after the event
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact.

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference.