We are thrilled to announce a highly successful year of educational outreach, marked by significant achievements in promoting ocean health and reducing single-use plastics. Our educational programs have reached thousands of students, underscoring our unwavering commitment to environmental education and action.

We are the Pioneers of Wild Beach School

We take children to beaches to learn about marine conservation threats and challenges in the Solent. We aim to inspire all with a love for the sea, whilst encouraging appreciation and the importance of caring for our shores by ending plastic pollution. Beach schools aim to achieve this by enabling children to spend time on our beautiful beaches, out in nature, creating future ‘ocean guardians’, and spreading our passion for ocean health, through storytelling, collaboration and practical activities.

Wild Beach School in Numbers

The 23/24 academic year has been the busiest so far for our Wild Beach School. We worked with 22 schools, to deliver 42 sessions, educating 1148 children outside in nature at our sites at Hill Head or Hayling Island Sailing Club. Of those children 25% came from disadvantaged backgrounds and 46% needed us to supply transport.

We Bring the Experience Inland

Connecting children with nature, discussing the impact of plastic pollution on our environment, and teaching children to make more sustainable choices are paramount to all of our education outreach activities. Whether we are combing beaches conducting litter surveys, leading workshops which cover poignant local issues such as nurdles, water quality and littering, or sharing our expertise and experience through school assemblies, we do so with a passion. Through a tailored approach we work collaboratively with local community groups and schools to offer assemblies, workshops and litter cleans. We want to help children, schools and their families begin their journey to being single-use plastic (SUP) free and focus on more sustainable living for the benefit of our oceans and our planet.

Our Aims

• To connect children with nature
• To reduce anxiety and stress
• To raise awareness of marine conservation threats
• To highlight sustainable choices that positively impact the sea, coastal environments and wildlife, locally and globally

Our Objective is to Build Engagement with the Importance of Safeguarding the Coastal Environment

Schools in Hampshire and West Sussex are invited to ask children to participate with a focus on those from their ‘pupil premium’ and under-privileged cohorts. We particularly aim the project at schools in disadvantaged areas – although not exclusively.

Transport

Many of the schools we work with are not fortunate enough to have access to a school minibus or have the budget to hire a coach. Did you know the average cost for a coach this season was £470? We strongly believe that all schools should be able to attend and allow their pupils to create memories, learn and grow without transport acting as a barrier.

Workshops and Assemblies

This year we have provided 49 schools with 19 assemblies, 46 workshops and 13 beach cleans or litter picks. This means that we spoke to 3260 pupils about plastic pollution and how we can protect our coastal environments.

Plastic-Free Day

Every year on the 8^th May, we host a plastic-free day to coincide with the birthday of Sir David Attenborough. This year we were extremely lucky because when we wrote to Sir David about our efforts, he wrote a handwritten note back thanking us for our dedication to the environment. This year we had over 8,000 pupils sign up via their schools. We love knowing that all these schools are taking important steps to reduce the amount of single use plastics they rely on.

Long-Lasting Impact

The achievements of our educational outreach team this year have been nothing short of extraordinary. By engaging over 1,100 children through our Wild Beach School and reaching thousands more through workshops and assemblies, we have laid a strong foundation for a generation that is more aware of and committed to protecting our oceans. The knowledge and passion instilled in these young minds will not only foster a deeper appreciation for marine ecosystems but also empower them to make sustainable choices that positively impact the environment. As these future ‘ocean guardians’ carry forward our message of conservation, we can anticipate long-term benefits for the health of our coastal ecosystems and a significant reduction in plastic pollution. Together, we are nurturing a community that values and actively participates in safeguarding our planet for years to come.

To find out more about our Educational Outreach initiatives and to book a session for your school, pop over to our website here