Young environmental campaigners from Minster CE Primary School have been helping to protect Thanet’s coastline after taking part in a beach clean and creative environmental project at Westbrook Bay.
Year 4 pupils spent the day working alongside the Thanet Coast Project, beach combing and litter picking to learn first-hand about the impact of rubbish on the local coastline and marine wildlife.
The visit formed part of the school’s Young Environmental Leaders programme, a year-long initiative delivered in partnership with Turner Contemporary, which has encouraged pupils to become advocates for the environment.
As part of the project, the children also worked with artist Lizzie Lomax, creating artwork and poetry inspired by their experiences. Their work featured in a protest raising awareness of the growing problem of litter on Thanet’s beaches and encouraging people to take greater responsibility for protecting the coastline.
Project leader Laura Patel said the programme had helped the pupils understand the importance of caring for the environment.
She said: “This has been a year-long project where the Young Environmental Leaders have learnt a lot about litter on our beaches and they wanted to help. It has been fantastic to watch their confidence grow as they discovered they can make a real difference in their community.”
Year 4 teacher Georgia Taylor said the initiative complemented classroom learning: “The project fitted in really well with our curriculum. The Young Environmental Leaders were able to share their knowledge with the rest of the year group, helping everyone to understand the importance of protecting our local beaches.”
Head of School Richard Russell added: “The children were fully engaged from the very beginning and were passionate about supporting such an important cause. It has been wonderful to see them learning beyond the classroom while developing a sense of responsibility for their local environment.”
The project has given pupils the opportunity to combine science, geography, art and creative writing while making a positive impact on their community. By sharing what they have learnt with classmates and the wider public, Minster CE Primary’s Young Environmental Leaders hope to inspire more people to help keep Thanet’s beaches clean for future generations.
