Devon pupils helping to test 'world inspiring' new ocean lessons
A Devon school is helping to save the oceans through its pioneering curriculum
Last updated 15th Nov 2022
A Devon primary school trust - with more than 3,500 pupils across Torbay and Plymouth - could soon lead the way internationally on teaching kids about the oceans.
The new curriculum was the idea of Stuart Bellworthy, CEO of Connect Academy Trust in Devon - and his team - as pupils all live near to the coast.
The Connect Trust |newtab) has already become the first in the UK to be awarded European Blue School status |newtab) for its work - and it hopes the new curriculum staff have devised can eventually be used across the world.
The work is based on the internationally recognised UNESCO seven Ocean Literacy Principles. |newtab)
With rising concern amongst children and adults about climate change, over-fishing, and the abundance of plastics in our seas, Mr Bellworthy says he was 'keen to find a way to connect children with the ocean'.
Based in Plymouth, with access to some of the world’s leading marine research institutions on his doorstep, Mr Bellworthy’s initial idea in 2019 was just to create links with local scientists. However, with several marine biologists on the trust’s staff, this soon turned into plans to develop a full-blown Ocean Curriculum, covering the seven principles of ocean literacy, with age-appropriate modules for all pupils from ages four to 11.
He said: "We wanted to help the children in our schools to have a deeper appreciation of the ocean and for them to understand how looking after our ocean will drive the future of our planet, as well as what they can do to make a difference."
Fast forward three years, and the trust has just celebrated the launch of its curriculum with a staff training day at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.
Elaine Hayes, CEO of the new National Marine Park in Plymouth, welcomed the teachers and spoke about the importance of inspiring youngsters to embrace ocean conservation.
She said: "We need to think longer and harder about how we can embed ocean literacy into all aspects of school life”, Ms Hayes said. “Education can help people make better choices about how they co-exist with nature now and in the future. Through this new curriculum, over 3,500 children will grow up knowing more about the ocean than previous generations. We need a paradigm shift in thinking as we move forward.”
The curriculum offers a hands-on introduction to all aspects of ocean science and was developed by teachers and leaders working at Connect Academy Trust in collaboration with scientists at the Ocean Conservation Trust, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the Marine Biological Association.
Several of the modules have already been piloted in the classroom and feedback so far is positive, according to Mr Bellworthy: “All the units of work we have trialled have been really popular”, he said. “Children love water and studying the ocean gives them a fascinating introduction to so many aspects of science, in a way that they can really relate to. Thanks to the expert input of all of our science partners, we have an amazing new curriculum that is already inspiring the next generation
"It’s rare for schools to write their own new curriculum like this. While they do have some flexibility around how and what they teach, in practice many focus solely on the national curriculum and lack the resources to develop larger units of work outside of that.
“It’s one of the advantages of being a multi-academy Trust”, explained Mr Bellworthy.
“We have been able to pool resources and expertise across the schools in our Trust. Several teachers in our schools have a background in marine biology so that has helped enormously. Each of our schools has a nominated Ocean Champion amongst its staff who is responsible for developing material and introducing the units of work into their own school.”