Education (Environment and Sustainable Citizenship) Bill [HL]

1 Curriculum requirements regarding citizenship and the natural environment

(1)

The Education Act 2002 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 78(1) (general requirements in relation to curriculum)—

(a)

omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (a), and

(b)

at the end of paragraph (b) insert “, and

(c)

instils an ethos and ability to care for oneself, others
and the natural environment, for present and future
generations.”

(3)

In section 80(1) (basic curriculum for every maintained school in England)—

(a)

omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (d), and

(b)

at the end of paragraph (e) insert “, and

(f)

provision for sustainable citizenship education for all
registered pupils who are provided with secondary
education.”

(4)

After section 80B, insert—

“80C Guidance about sustainable citizenship education

(1)

The Secretary of State must by regulations give guidance about the
provision of education under section 80(1)(f).

(2)

In relation to education provided under section 80(1)(f), the guidance
must be given with a view to ensuring that—

(a)

the pupils learn about—

(i)

the impact of human behaviour on the natural
environment, and

(ii)

the impact of the natural environment on human
wellbeing, and

(b)

the pupils have opportunities to develop—

(i)

skills to protect and restore the natural environment,
and

(ii)

skills to measure the impact of their actions on the
natural environment.

(3)

The governing body of a maintained secondary school must have
regard to guidance under this section.

(4)

The Secretary of State must review guidance under this section from
time to time.”

(5)

In section 84 (curriculum requirements for first, second and third key stages),
after subsection (5) insert—

“(5A)

In sub-paragraph (i) of subsection (3)(h) “citizenship” includes
programmes of study that encourage learning to protect and restore
the natural environment for present and future generations, including
but not limited to climate change considerations.”

(6)

In section 85 (curriculum requirements for fourth key stage), after subsection
(10) insert—

“(11)

In subsection (4)(c) “citizenship” includes programmes of study that
encourage learning to protect and restore the natural environment for
present and future generations, including but not limited to climate
change considerations.”

2 Extent, commencement and short title

(1)

Any amendment or repeal in this Act has the same extent as the provision
amended or repealed.

(2)

Except as provided by subsection (1) , this Act extends to England and Wales.

(3)

This section comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

(4)

The other provisions of this Act come into force on 31 August 2022.

(5)

This Act may be cited as the Education (Environment and Sustainable
Citizenship) Act 2021.