FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL:60TH ANNIVERSARY

Early day motion 229, tabled 8 December 2003 by Valerie Davey (Labour). Signed by 46 members.

That this House congratulates the Field Studies Council, the leading educational charity in the outdoor learning sector, on its 60th anniversary, welcomes the FSC's commitment to promoting field work amongst biology science students and to securing the encouragement of out-of-classroom activity for all GCSE biology students and a requirement for all A level biology students to have field experience in the first (AS) year; further congratulates the FSC in their efforts to stimulate the discussion of teaching methods used in the science curriculum and the requirement for teachers to be competent and confident in field environments; accepts the need for students to understand their living environment and stresses the vital contribution that out-of-classroom activity makes towards achieving this; extends to the FSC and its supporters every good wish for their continuing success; and hopes that the Department for Education and Skills and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority will respond constructively to the calls for greater emphasis on field studies in the national curriculum.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 4, Conservative 3, DUP 1, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.