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

’16 Under 16′ is a group of extraordinary young people that, Marine topic sponsor and Eco-Uniform supplier, David Luke have bought together to champion change.

’16 Under 16′ Projects

Eco-Schools and Marine topic sponsor David Luke have collaborated to produce these free project guides for schools. Based on the 16’s own eco-projects, these guides show how you can deliver their ideas in your school. From creating beeswax wraps to becoming a ‘Plastic Clever,’ school each of these projects can help you work towards a Green Flag award and they are even linked to the Eco-Schools international Seven Steps!

David Luke, Where Does Your Uniform Come From? Lesson Plan and Presentation

A lesson plan aimed at Key Stage One and Two investigating the environmental impact of the various materials used to make school uniforms. Accessible Version.

David Luke YouTube Channel

Videos from David Luke including how plastic bottles can be turned into school uniforms and ideas from the 16 Under 16.

Other Actions

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

Learn about ocean sustainability with curriculum resources from the Marine Stewardship Council Dolphin Diploma Activity
Defra ‘Our commonwealth Ocean’ Education pack
Kids Against Plastic – Plastic Clever Schools
Marine Conservation Society education resources
- Cool Sea Explorer Centre – This area contains information, games, images and a quiz within 8 core areas, including marine litter and water pollution.
- Cool Sea Explorer downloads – there are PDFs on various topics for children under ‘keep it’ tab and resources for teachers under ‘teach it.’

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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