Bringing the wonders of Northumberland and Berwickshire's marine life to local schools - The Marine Education Programme

Since the designation of the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site in 1998 a great deal of progress has been made in setting up systems to protect the site from environmental damage and secure its future protection. The project is now moving into a new phase of greater awareness raising amongst the people who live closest to the site. One way this is being achieved is through introducing local children to the wealth of marine life which inhabits this spectacular site by working with local schools.

The Marine Education Programme was developed in 2005 for schools near to the European Marine Site. The children are first introduced to the site via a school assembly given by the European Marine Site (EMS) officer where they are shown colourful slides of the amazing marine life both above and below the waves. Each school is then offered a guided visit to the site with a selection of activities to aid the children's understanding of the environment. The first of these is a rocky shore safari, where children can discover the abundant marine life that inhabits the crevices and rockpools of our rocky beaches. The children are then given the chance to translate what they have learned creatively in the form of beach art. Some schools may also wish to take the opportunity to perform a beach clean. Beach cleans teach the children about the hazards of litter while also ridding the beach of unsightly rubbish.

The initial phase of the project (in the 2004-2005 academic year) concentrated on first, primary and middle schools. The project is now moving into the next phase, in which we hope to engage secondary schools, specifically through GCSE and 'A' level biology and geography field trips.

If you would like your school to be involved in the Marine Education Project or have any questions or queries please contact the EMS officer Jane Lancaster on 01670 534095 or jlancaster@northumberland.gov.uk.

This page contains practical tips on incorporating marine education into lessons, advice on shore visits, suggested reading as well as exercises and class activities to download. The class activities and exercises are aimed at Key Stage 2, Life Processes and Living Things (English Curriculum) and 5-14 Curriculum Levels B, C & D (Scottish Curriculum).

Educational downloads

Coastal & Marine Life Study -
English Curriculum / Scottish Curriculum

These teaching exercises were taken from the 'Beneath the Waves' resources pack which was produced by the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine reserve, with assistance from the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site. These boxes were distributed in 2004 to primary schools in the Borders, and first and middle schools adjacent to the EMS in Northumberland.

Suggested reading and educational resources:

	The Underwater World of Northumberland and Berwickshire*
	Exploring the shore in Northumberland and Berwickshire*
	Exploring the Geology and Landscape of the Northumberland Coast AONB *
	Birdwatching in the Northumberland Coast AONB*
	Rugged reefs and Sandy shores videos - European Marine Site video *
	Eyewitness Guides - Seashore
	'Marine Species Conservation Factpack' by Marine Conservation Society (order through www.mcsuk.org)
	'Natural Leaders' folder of environmental games
	'Beneath the Waves' Video - an introduction to the St. Abbs & Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve

*Free to schools in Northumberland and Berwickshire - To order your free copies please contact the EMS officer, by emailing: Alannin@northumberland.gov.uk

A visit to the rocky shore

The rocky shore is a fascinating place to bring a school group and always popular with children. Both the Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site (EMS) and St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve (VMR) offer schools the opportunity to guided visits to the shore. We recommend that you book the EMS officer or the VMR Ranger for your visit, not only to make your visit more interesting but also safer as they will have local knowledge and experience of leading groups in such a setting.

Guidance notes for rockpooling visits

There are a number of things to be aware of before bringing a group out to the shore.

When to visit

Obviously the best time to visit is at low tide. Arrange a suitable time to visit when making your booking. The rockpools are best for an hour or so either side of low tide but outside of these times some interesting life can still be found. The tidal range on the Northumberland and Berwickshire coast is not massive but care should still be taken to avoid any situation where you may be cut off by a rising tide. The EMS officer/VMR ranger will have carried out a full risk assessment of the activity and have good knowledge of the site.

What to wear

It is always best to bring plenty of warm and, ideally, waterproof clothing. Even in summer it can be quite cold on the beach. Children should all wear welly boots. If children do not have wellies old trainers will do, so long as they bring a spare pair of shoes to change into to (as trainers will get wet).

Access

The rocky shore is a challenging environment for people with mobility difficulties. It is, however, still possible to offer opportunities if the visit is properly planned.

Activities

At the EMS/VMR guided visits can include the following activities:

• Rock-pooling
• Food chains
• Seashore invertebrate study
• Habitat study
• Sea bird study
• Beach art
• Litter surveys

Booking is essential.

Contact details:

BNNC EMS officer
Community and Environmental Services
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF
Telephone 01670 533780
Alannin@northumberland.gov.uk
www.Xborderscurents.com

VMR Ranger & NTS Ranger
Rangers Cottage
Northfield
St Abbs
Eyemouth
Scottish Borders
TD14 5QF
Telephone 018907 71443
www.marine-reserve.co.uk

Other organisations who may provide guided shore visits in Northumberland and Berwickshire - please remember to contact them in advance and to book early.

The National Trust
Coastal Wardens Office
The Square
Low Newton by the Sea
Northumberland
NE66 3EL
Tel: 01665 576117

Druridge Bay County Park
Hadstone
Near Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 5BQ
Tel: 01670 760968

St. Mary's Lighthouse,
St. Mary's Island,
Whitley Bay,
NE26 4RS
Tel: 0191 200 8650

Dove Marine Laboratory
School of marine Science and Technology
University of Newcastle
Cullercoats
Tyne and Wear
NE30 4PZ
Tel: 0191 252 4850
Email: j.e.delany@ncl.ac.uk

Scottish Borders Outdoor Education
Outdoor Education Department
Scottish Borders Council Headquarters
Newton St Boswells
Melrose
TD6 0SA
Tel: 01835 824000