About Beach Schools NI
Beach Schools is a new development of the internationally acclaimed Forest Schools Programme which places an emphasis on outdoor learning and engagement for children of all ages. The aim of Beach Schools is to get children outdoors and to ignite the fun of exploration, discovery and learning within coastal environments.
Beach Schools are springing up throughout the UK and Beach Schools NI is the only beach schools centre in NI run by a professionally trained beach schools practitioner. Beach Schools NI provides a range of short interactive sessions and schools programmes throughout the year, for kids of all ages, whatever the weather.
It’s time to explore the shore!
It’s time to explore the shore!
Welcome to Beach Schools NI, the first beach school programme in Northern Ireland. I am passionate about outdoor learning and as a geography teacher and mother of two young boys I want them to grow up with an enthusiasm and love for the outdoors. Recently, while living in England, my two year old son engaged in all sorts of sensory beach school activities which he loved! These activities supported his development and the physical exercise and fresh air helped him to sleep at night, which was a bonus! I could see the potential of beach schools to transform the learning experience of our children. In 2017 I trained in England to be a Beach Schools Practitioner and now I’m excited to bring the concept to Northern Ireland. Where better to launch NI’s first beach school than on the spectacular and award winning beaches of the north coast. Let’s change the story of how our children learn by getting outdoors, being active and having lots of fun.
– Maggie
Nurseries & Primary Schools
Download our school package flyer here – Final Beach Schools Flyer for Teachers
For more information contact: beachschoolsni@yahoo.com
What we do
What we do
Children will learn to forage for materials, create sculptures from driftwood, learn about the tides and coastal habitats, bird watch, go rock pooling, light fires, cook marshmallows and listen to their favourite pirate stories. Sessions are relaxed and fun and work to a general beach school curriculum set by the practitioner. Beach Schools provide an opportunity for children to develop their curiosity for the natural world while supporting mental and physical welling by encouraging children to play on the sand dunes and splash in rock pools. Beach Schools NI will create a wealth of learning opportunities for your children, creating memories and experiences that will stay with them for life.
Book a Session
Our Activities
- Rock pooling
- Scavenger huts
- Beach art and crafts
- Building shelters
- Role play – pirates
- Map making
- Science experiments
- Campfires
- Singing and story telling
Our Activities
- Rock pooling
- Scavenger huts
- Beach art and crafts
- Building shelters
- Role play – pirates
- Map making
- Science experiments
- Campfires
- Singing and story telling
Keystage 1 & 2
| Curriculum Area | Beach School activities |
|---|---|
| Language and Literacy | Vocabulary, storytelling, singing, poetry, letter writing |
| Mathematics and Numeracy | Sorting, sequencing, construction, shapes |
| The Arts | Sounds, beach art, crafts, design |
| The World around us | Coastal environment, habitats, ecosystems, weather, local history |
| Personal Development | Confidence building, team work |
| Physical Education | Beach sports, scrambling, active learning |
| Religious Education | Moral responsibilities and values |
Keystage 3
| Curriculum Area | Beach School activities |
|---|---|
| English with Media Education | Vocabulary, storytelling, creative writing, poetry |
| Mathematics and Numeracy | Measures, balance, sequencing, construction, shapes |
| The Arts | Beach materials, creative design, sculpture |
| Learning for Life and Work | Teamwork, confidence building, career opportunities |
| Environment and Society | Coastal environment, habitats, ecosystems, weather, local history |
| Modern Languages | Vocabulary |
| Science and Technology | Shelter building, campfire lighting, science experiments |
| Physical Education | Beach sports, scrambling, active learning |
| Religious Education | Moral responsibilities and values |
GCSE and A-Level
As an experienced Geography teacher I can lead coastal field trips for Geography or Biology courses exploring tidal movements, coastal processes, succession, impact assessments, habitats and sand dune studies.
FAQs
Who is responsible for my child during the session?
What if the weather is bad?
What do we need to wear?
Do you go into the water?
Do you give refunds if I can't attend?
Where do we meet?
FAQs
Who is responsible for my child during the session?
What if the weather is bad?
What do we need to wear?
Do you go into the water?
Do you give refunds if I can't attend?
Where do we meet?
Testimonials from Schools
Testimonials from Parents
Latest from Facebook
This is just amazing....you never know what you might find under the next rock. I'm happy to say that he was safely put back in the sea and swam away happily.
Carlingford Lough and The Cooley Peninsula
Check out this brilliant video. 7 year old Cavan Lynch was delighted to spot this Octopus in Warrenpoint today.
Lovely to visit Ballywalter Primary today to train their staff and share ideas. Such a warm welcome from enthusiastic teachers buzzing to get pupils down on the shore. Nature's playground just a stone's throw from the school gate. #beachschool #vitaminsea🌊 #outdoorlearning #classroomswithoutwalls
Great to work with staff from Carnlough Controlled Integrated Primary School and St. John's Primary School, Carnlough today as they looked for new ideas to incorporate their local beach into school lessons. Such an amazing resource they have on their doorstep and lovely to see teachers embracing outdoor learning. #classroomswithoutwallsWe have been busy preparing school and our classrooms and are excited to welcome back our VIP's (Very Important Pupils!) very soon! Today we took a break from the classroom to participate in outdoor learning training with Beach Schools NI. We were delighted to join with our colleagues from St. John's Primary School, Carnlough to 'Explore the Shore'. We are so excited to put all these brilliant ideas into practice when we return to school! We are lucky to have such lovely learning opportunities on our doorstep! 🦀🐡🐙🦞🌥🐠🧜♀️
#cips #workingtogether #gettingready #learningtogether #exploretheshore
They are very lucky to be able to use that.
Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust has a new Community Tools Library AND Outdoor Learning Teachers Resource book, both part of the legacy from the Heart of the Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme. It might of help to you in your outdoor classroom, so do drop an email to Teresa@ccght.org FANTASTIC and WELL DONE.
Great video from Kent which will help identify species you will find along our NI shoreline too. Those who attended beach school this summer should recognise some of the species shown.
Thanet Coast: NE Kent Marine Protected Area
Dumpton Gap, BroadstairsVirtual Seashore Safari 2
Thanet Coast 2020
This is second of five virtual safaris. With no public events this summer, the Thanet Coast Project volunteers have explored the chalk reef for you - so that you can have a closer look at some of the marine life that can be found within the North Kent Marine Protected Area.
Please take care while observing living creatures out on the coast - it is best to tick them off on our 'Rockpooling Fun' checklist (and avoid hurting, damaging, or taking them away from their home!). View our online leaflet at: bit.ly/3eZLv9O
Our previous short film ‘Rockpooling Responsibly’ gives some simple guidelines to help for exploring our rockpools.
Please Alway Stay Safe:
- Check tides (best to visit on an outgoing tide)
- Check the weather, & wear appropriate clothing.
- Wear appropriate footwear: for the beach, rockpools & rocks!
- Know your location: read bay information signs, check lifeguard cover, know where emergency services are, and avoid any local hazards.
- Follow current advice: such as coronavirus self-distancing, & let someone know where you are.
A huge thanks goes to Greg Bessant; Haeckels of Margate; Thanet District Council and the project team of Thanet Coastal Wardens for enabling these virtual safaris to happen.
More information at: thanetcoast.org.uk
Visit Thanet- Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate Thanet District Council Guardians of the Deep Broadstairs Town Team Broadstairs Town Team All About Broadstairs (uncensored) Broadstairs! Dumpton Gap Beach
Glorious 3 days at Holywood this week. Raft building, creating journey sticks, shape hunting and learning about our amazing shoreline. Thanks to all the enthusiastic families who came along. We had such fun!
