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
These little mermaids🧜♀️ found lots of their purses today at Portballintrae! I love the bounty of goodies that stormy winter seas wash in 🌊. A great day for exploring the shore with Bushmills PS and having s'mores to celebrate all our hard work! 😋 #thebeachisnotjustforsummer #mermaidspurses #sharkeggs #learningoutdoors #bushmillsprimaryschoolandnurseryunit
That is fantastic😀!! The mermaid's purses were everywhere today which was very exciting. Every day brings something new. Can't wait to see what we find next week!!
Our girls came home absolutely buzzing today with their discoveries. They are loving their sessions on the beach 😀
Look at these cute little explorers from #earlyyearsatrockport 😍.We braved the cold today and explored the marine life just on their doorstep to finish their Earth Week adventures. #classroomswithoutwalls #rockportschool #FutureAmbassadors #EarthWeek #beachschoolsniE A R T H W E E K
D A Y 5
E x p l o r e t h e s h o r e
In a time when children are seen to be losing their connection to nature and are spending less time outside-we are so proud that spending time outdoors is such a big part of life at Rockport.
This morning the children were delighted to get down to the shore and spend time exploring and investigating with Maggie from beachschool. No matter how much time we spend by the shore-there is always more to learn and we want to know it all!
#earthweek2019 #day5 #exploringtheshore #beachschoolni #getoutdoors #connectwithnature Round Square #beachschoolsni
A 'Nature Hour' Should Be Part of the School Curriculum Every Day, Say the Wildlife Trusts
childrenandnature.org
The UK-based organization Wildlife Trusts is calling for every child in the UK to spend one hour outside in nature, every day, as part of the school curriculum. Their recommendation is based on a recent study commissioned by the organization in which researchers at the Institute of Education at UCLAbsolutely loved working with the pupils and staff from Bushmills PS this afternoon. Lots more fun to be had over the coming weeks!!!In Extended Schools today, we enjoyed our first session of Beach Schools NI. Children got to make a shelter, have a scavenger hunt, do some beach art and toast marshmallows!! Here are a few snaps from today. We can’t wait for next week!😀
That's fantastic Darcey Sarah Mateer. So glad he had fun. The beach is such a great place for adventure. 🤩
My son absolutely loved it and can’t wait for next week ☺️
Blessed to see a stunning rainbow to end our autumn family sessions today. It was a perfect morning to enjoy some brisk sea air and huddle around the campfire. We even had toasted birthday cake for a special 2 yr old. Family sessions will be back at Easter and still some space for school bookings in 2020 so spread the word. #autumnevents #crispseaair #rosycheeks #discoverni #familymemories #beachschoolsni
