Eco-Schools is part of Keep Britain Tidy

Marine

Protecting all rivers, canals, lakes and oceans.

Curriculum Examples

  • English – write a newspaper report about the damage plastics are doing to marine life.
  • Science – construct a marine food chain identifying producers, predators and prey.
  • Design and Technology –create marine animal sculptures out of single-use plastics.

Balloon & Lantern Releases
We know that balloon releases have been a traditional way to celebrate special achievements or events, but our attitudes towards them need to change. ‘Biodegradable’ balloon or lantern releases in schools are not part of our ethos and will be challenged. Please use our Plastic Alternatives Guide for other ideas to balloon and lantern releases, glitter and single use plastics in schools.

Visit our Marine Pinterest for quick and simple ideas

David Luke: 16 Under 16

David Luke our Marine topic sponsors, have found the UK’s most influential ‘16 under 16 champions for change’ in the fight against plastic waste and other sustainability issues.

 

 

Eco-Schools and David Luke have collaborated to produce these free guides for schools, that show how you can deliver inspirational ideas from the ‘Sixteen’ in your school. We have even linked each of their actions to our international Seven Steps to help you on your Journey to Green Flag.

 

 

Amy and Ella’s Kids Against Plastic. Can your school become Plastic Clever?

Drew’s Marine Clean. Help Drew in his mission to clean up marine environments.

Elizabeth’s Plastic Straw Campaign. Get rid of plastic straws using positivity with Elizabeth’s campaign.

Ella’s Plogging Pick-Up. Combine two of our favourite activities (exercise and litter picking) to help Ella clean up our coasts.

Ellie-Mai’s Environmental Health Team. Follow Ellie-Mai’s lead in affecting change in your school.

Heather’s A Bag A Day Keeps the Litter Away. Use Heather’s plan to help you incorporate litter picking into everyday life.

Helen’s Conservation in Schools. It’s never too early to become a conservationist!

Jessica’s Bertie Bottle. Get in touch with businesses in your area to help them become more eco-aware.

Mia’s Food for Thought. Eliminate food waste and help others, win win.

Nadia’s  Team Trash Girl. Will you become a member?

Rachael’s Waxtastic No Plastic. Get crafty to raise money and cut waste.

Sam’s How to Start a Campaign. Discover how to run a successful campaign in your school.

Tara’s PIPs. Plastic is Pollution.

Tommy’s the Sea is Not a Dustbin. Serious ideas from a six year-old.

Other Actions

Who else can help your Eco-Committee make a splash?

Visit one of our Blue Flag & Seaside Awards  beaches too!

 

School Examples

Richard Avenue Primary School, Sunderland

Having previously achieved three Eco-Schools Green Flag awards and covered 9 of the Eco-Schools topics, the Eco-Committee at Richard Avenue Primary School decided to work on Eco-Schools England's newest topic, Marine, for their Green Flag renewal.
Working with Sunderland City Council for the second year running, the children were asked to design and create large planters to be used in the cities busy shopping areas. The Eco-Committee worked with their school's Art Club to produce eco-friendly planters that raised awareness of the problems plastic waste causes to our oceans and marine life.
The children then decided that as well as displaying art work, they also wanted to actively prevent further pollution: the upcoming school holidays were the perfect opportunity to do this. The Eco-Committee and Coordinator found a video clip from (the legendary) David Attenborough that highlighted plastic pollution in the oceans. They showed this clip, in an assembly, to their whole school and kicked off their holiday homework project (see picture).
Despite being lucky enough to live near very well maintained beaches, the children in Richard Avenue Primary School understand that every little helps!

School Website

Hawthorns School, Manchester

Pupils at Hawthorns school were shocked by the impact our plastic problem was having on marine life, so they thought it was important to raise awareness of the issue. Their amazing projects included: creating jellyfish from recycled materials then adding plastic bags to their display to demonstrate how similar they look and why sea turtles may eat plastic bags by mistake (top left), creating a scene (from recycled materials) that shows how sad the fishes in our oceans are because they are surrounded by plastic (top right) and creating ocean bottles - one which shows what our clean ocean should look like and one that shows what our oceans are starting to look like (bottom left). Finally, one class even decided to investigate making eco-friendly glitter in the run up to Christmas (bottom right), their first attempt was unsuccessful, but this means they get the chance to try again (next time they will bake for longer)!

School Website

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