In March, girls in York’s only all-girl junior school, The Mount, staged their own Science Fair. They had spent the Spring Term studying various facets of the human body in their Creative Curriculum and were invited to take on an exciting challenge - “Imagine you are part of science fair that is travelling the country. Children and adults will visit the fair to find out more about the human body. You are going to design and make an exhibit for The Human Body Roadshow.”

The pupils rose to the challenge with gusto. Their final exhibits covered components of the digestive system, the circulatory system, the skeleton, and even the nervous system. 

“For our Science Fair, I liked how we were able to have our own responsibilities. We created our presentations by ourselves, without needing to get help from the teachers,” says Amelia in Year 6.

York Press: The Mount's unique Creative Curriculum incorporates cross-curricular studies The Mount's unique Creative Curriculum incorporates cross-curricular studies

The Mount Junior School’s unique Creative Curriculum incorporates cross-curricular studies which elevate pupils’ skills and broaden their interests. Activities offer girls multiple opportunities to work in depth, taking the time they need to reflect, consolidate and understand their learning. 

Each term, the entire Junior School focuses on a specific topic where teaching and learning supports the girls’ natural curiosity and stimulates their creativity. The progression of these topics is: Explore (autumn); Discover (spring); Create (summer). In autumn 2020 the girls explored Brazil and the ancient Mayans; in spring 2021 they discovered the human body; this summer they will follow NASA’s footsteps to design their own Mars Rover, after which they will stage their own whistle-stop tour of our solar system.

The Creative Curriculum carries an added benefit: it harnesses the girls’ diverse learning strengths and thinking styles. By adopting a universal design for learning (UDL) approach, the Creative Curriculum allows all children an equal opportunity to access and engage with learning materials. 

It provides the structure within which girls can develop the confidence and independence to question, cultivate and articulate their own opinions and ideas. 

Lizzy in Year 5, who created a model of the human heart for her exhibit, explains: “My favourite bit about my heart was making it. I’m a creative person so I like to make things.”

This minimises stress and anxiety in the classroom and promotes a collective enthusiasm which positively supports children’s mental health.

Rachel Capper, Head of The Mount Junior School, said: “We want our girls to make the most of every opportunity, both inside and outside the classroom. Our all-girl setting, Quaker ethos and bespoke teaching creates an environment which fosters self-belief, independence, and kindness.

"We support girls, encouraging them to take intellectual risks and live adventurously. Teachers and girls alike are extremely proud of what we are achieving here, and we would be delighted to share that with you.”

To learn more about The Mount Junior School’s creative curriculum and the unique education they offer for girls, parents are welcome to visit during the all-girl school’s Open Week 19 to 23 April. Contact The Mount’s admissions department to register mountschoolyork.co.uk