Brighton College Prep - Beside the Seaside

BESIDE THE SEASIDE

From art lessons and mindfulness sessions to caring for the environment, there’s much to be learned on the coast, says Ant Falkus, Head of Brighton College Prep in East Sussex

Brighton College Prep School’s Beach School is an innovative approach to learning that offers pupils much more than just a day out by the sea. This holistic approach provides an opportunity for pupils to experience the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of learning in a coastal environment. The Beach School’s curriculum focuses on holistic learning, offering a wide range of hands-on experiences that promote curiosity, inquisitiveness, and team-building exercises.

From the smallest cohort in nursery to our ambassadors in year eight, pupils participate in all that’s on offer at the beach. Activities include yoga classes, breathwork sessions, and mindfulness techniques that help them manage their emotions. They also participate in regular beach cleans that educate them on the importance of protecting the environment. Studying in a coastal environment has numerous benefits that extend beyond the classroom.

Research has shown that being close to the sea lowers stress levels, promotes relaxation, and positively impacts mental health.

Spreading positivity

The sound of waves, the smell of saltwater, and the sensation of sand between your toes all contribute to peace and wellbeing. Learning by the sea offers unique opportunities that can pique pupils’ curiosity and inquisitiveness, such as observing marine life, identifying different types of shells and rocks, and exploring tide pools.

The Beach School initiative fosters community and kindness among pupils. Pupils make ‘kindness rocks’ with inspirational messages painted on to pebbles left behind for others to collect,

RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT BEING close to the sea lowers stress levels, promotes relaxation AND POSITIVELY IMPACTS MENTAL HEALTH

spreading positivity and joy. Learning on the coast enhances physical activity as pupils engage in beach walks, paddling, and collaborative beach games. The Beach School also promotes safety awareness, as specialist teachers provide a stimulating environment for children to explore and, at the same time, ensure their wellbeing.

Coastal creativity

Beach School has been a successful project since its inception. It assists in providing an immersive learning experience that allows pupils to connect with nature and improve their mental and physical wellbeing, while encouraging them to develop a greater appreciation of the environment and the role they can play in preserving it.

It incorporates the use of technology in the learning process too. Using cameras and iPads, pupils can capture and document their experiences, creating a digital portfolio of their learning journey, which pupils can then journal about. They love taking their art lessons to the sea, as it provides them with a unique and inspiring environment to express their creativity.

Packed with their art supplies, they walk to the beach and create beautiful watercolour paintings, chalk drawings on pebbles, and even make recycled art from plastic they’ve found on the shore. This not only enhances their artistic skills but also teaches them about the importance

THE BEACH SCHOOL HAS HELPED PUPILS DEVELOP an appreciation for the natural world and its beauty, ESSENTIAL IN TODAY’S WORLD WHERE CHILDREN ARE OFTEN DISCONNECTED FROM NATURE

of recycling and taking care of the environment. The beach provides a perfect backdrop for these art lessons, with its natural beauty and calming atmosphere inspiring our pupils’ creativity and imagination. One of the key benefits of the Beach School initiative is that it has positively impacted pupils and the local community. The programme has also helped pupils develop essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. In addition, the Beach School initiative has provided pupils with a unique opportunity to learn in a way that is different from traditional classroom learning. It has allowed pupils to learn in an experiential, educational, enjoyable, and fun environment. The Beach School has helped pupils develop an appreciation for the natural world and its beauty, essential in today’s world, where children are often disconnected from nature.

Alfresco academia

The Beach School initiative at Brighton College Prep School incorporates all academic subjects as well as holistic learning. The pupils learn their spellings by writing them in the sand and then reading them aloud, while maths lessons use shells, pebbles, and other natural materials found on the beach to assist with counting. This unique approach to learning helps pupils engage with academic material in a more hands-on and interactive way.

IT’S A SHORE THING...

The benefits of learning by the sea:

* Exposure to nature: It’s a unique opportunity for children to be immersed in nature, which can improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance overall wellbeing.

* Boosts creativity: The sea can inspire imagination, which is beneficial for children who enjoy exploring new ideas and concepts.

* Develops social skills: It can foster social interaction, teamwork, and collaboration.

* Enhances physical activity: Activities such as paddling, scavenger hunts and teambuilding activities by the sea can help children to stay active and healthy.

* Improves cognitive development: It can enhance memory, focus and attention.

* Develops environmental awareness: It can help children develop an appreciation for the environment and an understanding of conserving natural resources.

* Reduces anxiety and stress: The calming waves, along with practices such as yoga and breathwork can reduce anxiety and stress, leading to improved mental health.

* Provides opportunities for experiential learning: The sea provides a unique opportunity for hands-on learning, helping children apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations.

PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIGHTON PICTURES

Brighton College Prep’s Beach School curriculum has been built on holistic learning principles

Prep classes take the classroom to the coast, learning to read, write and count in the sea air