Our Beach school sessions run almost every week year round and are available at no additional charge to preschool children booked to attend on Monday DAY sessions. We invite the same group of children each week for term long blocks to enable children to fully experience the changing environment. Our Beach School sessions are led by Helen Baines our specialist Marine Biologist, Beach School leader.
Sandcastles Beach School sessions aim to build a love of the natural world whilst developing children's confidence, curiosity, ingenuity, adaptability and creativity. Our philosophy builds children's thinking skills equipping children for their future. Our sessions use stories, nature hunts, bird bingo, listening games, land art and team challenges to help children tune into their environment with the majority of each 2 hour session being reserved for free play and exploration.
In Jan 2018 The Times reported that "Children in Britain spend an average of just 16 minutes a day playing or exploring in parks and other open spaces". Lets take action to make sure our children don't suffer this statistic, at Sandcastles we aim for a minimum of 2 hours outdoor play a day.
Helen O'Hagan collaborates with Eden Project Learning and colleagues from local primary, special and higher education settings to inform the creation of the Morecambe Bay Curriculum. Helen O'H and Helen B also support Lancaster and Morecambe College to inspire their student Early Years Professionals to understand the value and opportunities outdoor learning offers young children.
2019-22 Beach School collaborations
*Lancaster Uni collaboration with Liz Edwards adapting research project engaging children and the wider community in a range of activities examining biodiversity.
* Morecambe RNLI - two visits from Life Boat team & art competition & invitation for a visit to view the Life Boat (autumn 21)
* Eden Bear visit - linking us with local early years settings & Eden (summer 22)
* Eden Postcards project - Art project with Lou Andrews helping children to articulate their ideas and priorities through art (spring 22)
* Bare hunt - Collaboration with University of Cumbria Teacher Trainees - children photographing local landmarks and discussing our local area (spring 22)
* Helen & Helen hosting LMC Early Educator students on tour of the Beach School site & visiting LMC to deliver Eden opportunities & outdoor learning masterclass. (Spring 22)
* Staff CPD - Helen Baines Outdoor Leader First aid (March 22)
2022-23 Beach School collaborations
* Open invites for local practitioners to join us for a Beach School session - sharing our experience of delivering outdoor learning
* Helen and Helen hosted a room of information and activities at the Eden Bear Book launch event Spring 23
* Helen O'H attended Eden Project Leading learning outdoors training
* Guest lectures at LMC
* Hosting Manchester Met Uni Creative Arts meets Early Years research project (summer term 2023)
* Morecambe Bay Curriculum 'Little Researchers' project
2023-24 Beach School collaborations
* Open invites for local practitioners to join us for a Beach School session - sharing our experience of delivering outdoor learning
* North West Stronger Practice Hub - Helen O'Hagan, Helen Baines and Janet supported Dr Diane Boyd delivering delivering Teach on the Beach training.
* Helen O'Hagan continues to support the Morecambe Bay Curriculum and Eden Bear project. 3 of the team attended the MBC annual conference this year.
* Helen Baines Outdoor Leaders First Aid (May 24)
David Attenborough: "No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced."