A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) upheld the current science curriculum yesterday.

The British Humanist Association and the progressive think tank Ekklesia have written to the Education Secretary, calling on the government to state that teaching material provided by Truth in Science "is not appropriate for school science".

As reported by the BBC, the DfES stated: "Neither creationism nor intelligent design are taught as a subject in schools, and are not specified in the science curriculum. The national curriculum for science clearly sets down that pupils should be taught that the fossil record is evidence for evolution, and how variation and selection may lead to evolution or extinction."

Truth in Science notes that this is a straightforward explanation of certain parts of the National Curriculum and welcomes this reiteration of the government position.

Though some lobby groups may have misunderstood our position, TiS has never suggested that the teaching of creationism or intelligent design is compulsory under the National Curriculum.

In addition, Truth in Science has not called for any reduction in the teaching of evolution in schools. If anything, we would like pupils to have more time given to the consideration of the evidence for evolution.

TiS simply points out that there are topics in both the National Curriculum and Examination Specifications where teachers may choose to enhance their student’s education by allowing critical appraisal of the evidence for evolution and alternative theories. These opportunities are extensively documented on the Truth in Science website.