A blog providing ideas and resources for those teachers hoping to teach the new GCSE Specification, first announced in April 2022. Draft subject content released for consultation in June 2026 - for first teaching from 2028 or 2029.
This album came out last year, and I've just got round to finishing the blog post I started back then, as we pass 400 posts on the blog.
A new album out today showcases the rhythms of pond life.
— University of Bristol (@BristolUni) October 24, 2023
Musician Tom Fisher, aka Action Pyramid, has teamed up with ecologist Dr Jack Greenhalgh for Mardle, which will appeal to curious nature lovers and those who enjoy unwinding to soundscapes 🐸🎶➡️ https://t.co/NM5NPLN5FG pic.twitter.com/jZmXLtkWFC
If a school is offering the GCSE Natural History, it makes sense for them to take a look at their own grounds to see what the opportunities are for learning about ecosystems. This will be important as there are bound to be quite 'high start up costs' with resourcing and preparing to teach the new specification. I hope to be able to help with that, and this blog is one such resource which I hope people will begin to explore.
The school where I teach has a small pond area, and a larger pond in the main gardens which are part of a memorial garden to former teachers and students. There are obviously some issues with safety and the need for signage and careful placement.
This article suggests ways to create a mini pond, perhaps on the school site. It's part of Children's Gardening Week.
Ponds are small ecosystems, and students could usefully set them up and explore the trophic relationships which are developing.
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust have also created this useful video on how to make a small pond.
Another location which will feature in the list of possible places to visit for those schools that choose to offer the new specification and...
