Beachgoers in Lowestoft learning to combat ocean waste, focusing on seaweed, marine life, and harmful plastic debris.
In the quaint coastal town of Lowestoft, a group of passionate educators have embarked on a unique journey, pursuing the Level 3 Wild Beach Leader qualification accredited by OCR. This training, aimed at outdoor leadership, has seen the group of six teachers and educators, including a primary school teacher named Ruth, delve into the wonders of South Beach.
During a three-day training session, the group honed their skills in navigation, safety, risk management, environmental awareness, leadership, team management, and first aid. The coastal environment served as a vast untapped learning resource, with activities ranging from treasure hunts and kite-making to a beach barbeque.
Ruth, a local school teacher, welcomed the group to her school on the first day, providing a dry space for discussions on coastal habitats. The group found the beaches they knew as children in a new light, as they learned to observe marine vegetation using quadrats, measure wind speed and cloud cover, and understand tides.
The training also addressed the importance of marine conservation and pollution, with a focus on Marine Conservation Zones in Suffolk. Sea holly, sea kale, and luminous orange plankton were among the marine flora and fauna identified during the sessions.
The group found parallels between their Wild Beach work and the Forest Schools approach, both promoting hands-on learning and a deep connection with nature. The individual learner expressed a renewed appreciation for the beaches, finding joy in refreshing their skills in using a quadrat and gaining a practical understanding of the coastal environment.
For those interested in this exciting qualification, contact Bev Rogers, the Learning Development Officer at the Trust, for more information. The course, recommended for anyone seeking to enrich their understanding of the coastline and its biodiversity, promises a rewarding experience for all participants.
- Ruth's school, located in Lowestoft, served as a temporary hub for the educators during their training, providing a space conducive for discussions on marine and forest school lifestyle, home-and-garden being replaced by coastal habitats.
- Incorporating the learning from their Wild Beach Leader training and the Forest School approach, these educators are now redefining their personal-growth and education-and-self-development, embracing an outdoor-living and home-and-garden merging into a unique pedagogy.
- Combining the essential elements of marine conservation and marine pollution education with the skills of navigation, safety, and team management honed during their training, these educators are aiming to create a rich learning environment promoting personal-growth and environmental awareness both in a forest school and at the coastal beach.
