Department for Education confirms launch of natural history GCSE

Campaigners have been calling for the qualification for years but plan stalled despite a curriculum being drawn up

Teenagers may be able to learn about the importance of newts, bats and jumping spiders after the government announced the introduction of a GCSE in natural history.

The qualification had been campaigned for by nature lovers for more than a decade, but despite a curriculum being drawn up, the measure had stalled.