Ocean Curriculum Launch Event Ocean curriculum makes a splash
Plymouth Ocean conservation charity, the Ocean Conservation Trust – which runs the city’s National Marine Aquarium (NMA) - has teamed up with the Connect Academy Trust to launch an exciting curriculum learning project that will put the ocean at the centre of learning for 2,500 primary school children. On Monday 28 October, 240
teaching staff from Connect Academy Trust descended on the NMA for the official launch of the collaboration. Staff spent the morning working with OCT staff to create a first-of-its-kind (in the UK) learning programme, designed to integrate the ocean into everyday teaching. Teachers from the five Plymouth
schools in the Connect Academy Trust participated in the planning sessions, including Eggbuckland Vale, Leigham, Manadon Vale, Thornbury and Widey Court primary schools. Centred in Plymouth, the Connect Academy Trust was formed in 2016 with the aim of providing a firm foundation for developing teachers and leaders in order to secure the best learning opportunities for its pupils. It operates a dynamic system in
ambitious yet. Dubbed the ‘Connecting us with our Ocean’ project, it aims to develop a love and understanding of the importance of the Ocean in pupils, whilst inspiring and enabling staff to design their subject curriculums around the topic. It’s one that is notably absent from the current National Curriculum - something that the Ocean Conservation Trust finds concerning. Nicola Bridge, Head of
‘There are many
STEM career opportunities related to the ocean’
Conservation Education and Communications for the charity, said: “Despite the ocean representing the largest living space on the planet and being essential for the survival of all of us, it is notably missing from the current English National Curriculum, which is something we feel strongly needs to change. The UK is a national and global leader in marine science and ocean- related teaching should be an essential part of the core curriculum offering for all
schools.” Stu Higgs, Schools
Programme Manager for the Ocean
which each school is a giver and receiver of support – and this latest project, which will also be supported by the Marine Biological Association, is one of its most
8 Chamber Profile Winter 2019
Conservation Trust, added: “In England, the National Curriculum is very flexible, and it can be translated in many ways by different schools, allowing dynamic teacher input. “However, as it has always had a
terrestrial bias and is still currently framed towards terrestrial ecosystems - and in the primary
science curriculum, excludes ocean- related topics altogether. “With this in mind, we are
delighted to have been approached by the Connect Academy Trust to work with them on this exciting planning session. Getting a cross- curricular ocean themed learning programme into Plymouth schools will be a huge step in the right direction. “There are many STEM career opportunities-related to the ocean and ensuring that school children are made aware of these from an early age will broaden their horizons when choosing a career path to follow later in life. We hope that many other schools will follow suit in future.”
Stuart Bellworthy, CEO of the
Connect Academy Trust, said: “All five of the Connect Academy Trust schools are very excited to be working with the Ocean Conservation Trust on the first project of this kind. As a trust, we are highly ambitious for all the children in our schools and see this as a wonderful opportunity to develop their understanding of Plymouth, our Ocean City, as well as deepening their knowledge of essential subjects such as ecology, science, geography and environmental issues.” The Connect with our Ocean
project will start in September 2020.
Visit:
www.connectacademytrust.co.uk
About the Ocean Conservation Trust: The Ocean Conservation Trust is a Plymouth-based conservation with a national and international reach. It has been running the city’s much-loved National Marine Aquarium for
the past 21 years as a centre of excellence in Ocean education and public/community engagement, alongside innovative conservation projects across the globe that put people at the centre of solutions. The charity delivers curriculum-based learning sessions to 30,000 school
children a year in the South West, North East, and South Wales through the Aquarium and its national outreach hubs. It also engages with the public and community groups in a range of innovative ways, all in service to the ocean.
About the Connect Academy Trust: Connect Multi Academy Trust was set up in 2016 and is made of Manadon Vale, Widey Court, Eggbuckland Vale, Leigham and Thornbury Primary Schools. The Trust has had a highly successful year. All five schools in the trust had very effective Ofsted inspections
between April and July this year, achieving a ‘Good’ outcome in each inspection, with particular highlights around teaching and learning, support for vulnerable pupils, governance and the impact of leaders of driving improvements across the trust. Other successes include winning a number of sports trophies this year
across the trust and successful bids to complete improvements to each of the five school buildings.
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