The British Humanist Association (BHA) responded last week to the UK Government’s consultation on new English GCSE subject content and assessment objectives. In its response, the BHA has expressed concern at the weakness of some areas of the curriculum surrounding sex education and the scientific method, while commending the teaching of evolution.
In its response, the BHA summarises its comments thus:
- Science – sex education: We are concerned that some aspects of sex education science (e.g. hormones and STIs) have been moved from key stage 3 to 4, while others (e.g. some areas of sexual health) have been removed entirely. We are also concerned that non-hormonal contraceptives may not be taught about.
- Science – scientific method: We think the ‘Working scientifically’ sections should be integrated throughout the programme of study. We are also concerned that some concepts are absent, such as the nature of evidence, whether evidence is reliable and why it might not be, causation and correlation, and blinding and randomising trials.
BHA Education Campaigner Richy Thompson commented, ‘While we welcome the comprehensiveness of the section on evolution, which is more thorough than previous curricula, we are concerned that some areas around sex education and the scientific method are lacking. With respect to sex education, the new subject content in fact represents a significant step back from what is already in place: some areas of sexual health such as pregnancy , abortion, and freedom to choose if and when to have sex and to reproduce now fall firmly outside of the curriculum. Others have been moved to a later stage. It is vital that young people receive full and comprehensive sex education at an early enough age to equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about sex and relationships.
‘Turning to the scientific method, it is important that the public is able to assess evidence and claims which they are presented with in day to day life and come to informed, rational conclusions about that evidence. Some key concepts that are critical to such assessment are still missing and we hope they will be added.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Richy Thompson at richy@humanists.uk or on 020 7324 3072.
Read the consultation: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/gcse-subject-content-and-assessment-objectives
Read the BHA’s response: https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Reformed-GCSE-subject-content-consultation-response-from-the-British-Humanist-Association.pdf
Read more about the BHA’s campaigns work on the school curriculum: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/school-curriculum/
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes Humanism and a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.