The Times Educational Supplement was in error last Friday (17 November) when it reported that the Department for Education and Skills had sent a letter to all secondary schools regarding Truth in Science. No such letter had been sent.

Somehow, a letter from the DfES to the British Humanist Association and Ekklesia was confused with a mailing to all secondary schools, leading to a mistaken report.

The British Humanist Association and liberal think-tank Ekklesia had written to the Education Secretary asking him to “inform science teachers” that the Truth in Science resource pack “is not suitable for science lessons”. Their letter made several false claims about Truth in Science.

The Department for Education and Skills responded to the lobby groups with a letter stating that it is “currently working with the QCA to find a suitable way of communicating to schools it is not part of the Science National Curriculum.” The DfES also confirmed that “neither the DfES nor the QCA have been involved in the development or distribution of the Truth in Science resource pack”.

We are concerned that the lobby groups have conveyed a false impression of Truth in Science to the Government. Truth in Science has never claimed that the DfES had direct input in the development and distribution of our resource pack. We have not claimed that teaching of Intelligent Design is compulsory under the National Curriculum.

Truth in Science simply draws attention to topics in both the National Curriculum and Examination Specifications where teachers could choose to enhance their student’s education by allowing critical appraisal of the evidence for evolution and alternative theories.

Professor Andy McIntosh, a Director of Truth in Science, has contacted the DfES requesting a meeting to discuss and clarify these issues. We hope that such a meeting will take place before the DfES decides on a course of action.