Marine - Eco Schools

It is estimated that each year 12 million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans, two thirds of this comes directly from land.

Visit our Marine Pinterest for action inspiration

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.

’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 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 school protect our marine environments?

Kids Against Plastic

A charity setup by kids, for kids! You can become one of their ‘Plastic Clever’ schools by working through 4 simple steps!

Become Plastic Clever!

Seaside Award and Blue Flag Beaches

Operated by Keep Britain Tidy, the Seaside Award recognises the best beaches in England and the Blue Flag is awarded to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes – great places to visit for fieldwork or end of term trips!

Marine Stewardship Council

The Marine Stewardship Council have produced a variety of teaching and learning resources to help young people discover how we can keep our oceans healthy for generations to come – the perfect accompaniment to a beach clean!

Learn about Ocean Sustainability with the Marine Stewardship Council

Defra ‘Our Commonwealth Ocean’ Education pack

The ocean is essential for all life on our blue planet. The Department for Environmental, Food and Rural affairs have produced this amazing teaching resource to help young people understand the science of our oceans and become ‘Ocean Literate.’

Download Defra’s Our Commonwealth Ocean’ pack

Marine Topic Winner, Eco-Schools Award Ceremony

Sutton High School used art to highlight the impact of single-use plastics on our oceans, read their story and see their amazing artwork below.

View a whale-size statement on plastic waste

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 replace balloon and lantern releases, glitter and single use plastics in schools.

School Examples

St Mary's School for Girls, Colchester

The Eco-Committee at St Mary's wanted to use art to raise awareness of microplastics within the Oceans and the everyday plastics we use that can be recycled and those that can't. Students were asked to bring small, hard, non-recyclable plastic items to school, which could be used to create murals. Having created various designs including a seahorse, fish and turtle, the Eco-Committee then collected old plastic bags (that could no longer be used) and repurposed them to create an ocean backdrop. Not only do these murals send a powerful message about microplastics in the ocean to all who walk by, they are also a demonstration that even non-recyclable plastics can be reused rather than sent to landfill!

School Website

Ashfield School, Kirkby in Ashfield

Our students decided they would like to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean by collecting plastic bottles to build into a greenhouse. We launched a tutor competition to see which tutor group could collect the most bottles (we needed about 1400), this brought in about 500 bottles. We then asked parents and students to keep bringing them in. We had all the bottles we needed by the new year, after beginning our collection in the summer term of 2019. To save money, we put out an appeal to local building firms for the materials for the frame, which were kindly donated by Tanbury Construction. The staff on our Eco-Team built the greenhouse frame before the summer holidays in 2019! When we returned to school in September the Eco-Committee began to put the bottles together in preparation for adding to the frame, when ready the site staff would add them. Unfortunately, COVID-19 disrupted our plans, meaning that students were unable to complete the greenhouse due to social distancing. However, excellent Eco-Coordinator Mrs Ford and her helpful husband have completed it over the summer break, so when lockdown is over the greenhouse will be ready for the Eco-Committee to start using it to grow plants to help improve Biodiversity around school.

School Website

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