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.
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!
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
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
Book a Session
Beach Schools NI run sessions throughout the year for preschoolers and children of primary school age. Parents can book to join sessions on a first come basis as and when classes are advertised. We also partner with nursery schools, primary and secondary schools throughout the year to provide classes with a range of fun activities delivered on a shore near you.
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.
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.
Our Activities
- Rock pooling
- Scavenger huts
- Beach art and crafts
- Building shelters
- 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
- Building shelters
- Role play – pirates
- Map making
- Science experiments
- Campfires
- Singing and story telling
Nurseries & Primary Schools
Beach Schools NI will deliver beach sessions for nursery schools and primary schools upon request. These sessions can be tailored to support the requirements of the school curriculum and areas of interest. Suggestions of beach activities that can be aligned to the NI curriculum area are outlined below. Beach Schools bring learning to life for young children using the teaching ethos ‘classrooms without walls’. For more information contact: beachschoolsni@yahoo.com
Nurseries & Primary Schools
Beach Schools NI will deliver beach sessions for nursery schools and primary schools upon request. These sessions can be tailored to support the requirements of the school curriculum and areas of interest. Suggestions of beach activities that can be aligned to the NI curriculum area are outlined below. Beach Schools bring learning to life for young children using the teaching ethos ‘classrooms without walls’. For more information contact: beachschoolsni@yahoo.com
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?
Latest from Facebook
Planning is underway for our 2019 Beach School family sessions for 2-4yrs and 5-8yrs. We would love to gauge interest regarding locations and dates. Comment or send a pm if you have particular request and we will see what is possible. We want to make the sessions as accessible to as many children as we can. #2019events #beachschoolsni #familytime #getyourkidsoutside
Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm and feedback. Lots of food for thought!! Summer sessions will be mainly focused on North coast beaches. However Holywood and Loughshore are definite possibilities for beach sessions. Are Saturday sessions thru May/June of interest? Which age group would you be using? 2-4yrs or 5-8yrs?
Brown's bay or Jordans town Loughshore, maybe Whitehead, but path was closed recently? We are very interested thanks!
Sea park holywood please if ur expanding this direction
Newcastle please!
Jordanstown loughshore or Browns bay is the closest for as. Claire Leeona Celine R Sorina Susana Polanco De Danielle Joyce Amy Rebecca Twinemm
Wherever ur going- we’ll be there!! Can’t recommend this enough!!! My little girl had a ball and is still talking about it!!
Castlerock or Benone venues would be great!!
Murlough
Yes jordanstown or loughshore
Benone or Castlerock please
Castlerock would be great 😊
Jemma Kobi? Would u fancy?
Castlerock please!
Castlerock
Would love a session in Carrick, but don't know if the beach is nice enough! Can drive to Whitehead or Loughshore though 🙂
Holywood/Bangor direction be great! Ballyholme beach?!😁
Stacey McCausland maybe a Bangor beach school family reunion!!!
Carrickfergus direction would be great!
Holywood or Crawfordsburn maybe?
Castlerock or downhill would be great
Holywood would be amazing!!!
Benone or portstewart 😁
Holywood/Bangor please
Brown's bay / portmuck 👍
Portstewart please.
Something for your Christmas list?? 🐚🦐🦑🦀42 reviews on Amazon , most of them constructive 🙂 the only book dedicated to beachcombing in the UK www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Guide-Beachcombing-Strandline/dp/0957394675/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8...
Another example of the devastating worldwide impact of marine pollution.... 😔. Let's all do our bit to keep our N.I. shoreline litter free. Every little helps.
Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful
This is so frustrating and troubling to see.This article gives even more reason to get outdoors with your children...schools are booking fast to take classes to Beach Schools NI sessions at their local beach....if you teach or have children at nursery/primary schools tell your Headteacher about us and hopefully it can make learning outdoors easier for your school.
A fab article about the benefits of Beach Schools. 😀
www.tes.com/news/beach-school-why-every-teacher-should-try-it
What is beach school? Ideas for teachers
tes.com
Forest school sorted? It is time to get your bucket and spade out and try beach schools, says this teacher
I was doing Amira homework last night with her. She had a rockpool in her book and she remembers limpets!