Introducing Sussex Coast Explorers
Sussex Coast Explorers: Connecting young people with Sussex’s living coastline
We’re excited to share the launch of Sussex Coast Explorers, a new coastal education project delivered in partnership by Sussex Underwater and Strandliners, and supported by funding from the High Weald National Landscape Partnership.
Sussex Coast Explorers is designed to help young people in Hastings and St Leonards build a meaningful connection with the sea; from the strandline of the beach to life beneath the waves. Through hands-on learning, storytelling, and citizen science, the project supports environmental understanding, wellbeing, and confidence, while inspiring children to care for their local coastline.
Learning from the beach to beneath the waves
The project brings together the strengths of both organisations. Sussex Underwater contributes underwater footage, giving children a window beneath the waves and powerful storytelling, sharing positive local stories that show how individuals and communities can make a real difference for the ocean. Strandliners brings expertise in coastal debris, environmental monitoring, and citizen science, helping children understand human impacts on the shoreline and how data can drive change.
Together, we offer a unique, place-based learning experience rooted in Sussex’s coastline.
Year 5 pupils will take part in guided beach sessions where they explore rockpools, discover marine habitats, and investigate what can be found along the shoreline. They’ll learn about local wildlife, pollution, and positive action, all within the context of their own local environment.
Transport, materials, and delivery costs for these beach-based sessions are fully funded through the grant, ensuring the project is accessible to schools that may otherwise be unable to take part.
Why in-school sessions matter
While the grant funding covers the beach sessions, it does not include the essential in-school preparation sessions that take place beforehand.
These classroom sessions are a crucial part of Sussex Coast Explorers. They help build trust with pupils, introduce key ideas, and set expectations before visiting the beach. This is also where Sussex Underwater shares underwater footage of marine creatures living in Sussex seas, giving children a rare opportunity to see beneath the surface of their local coastline and begin forming a personal connection with the marine environment.
Without this groundwork, the impact of the beach sessions would be significantly reduced.
How we’re funding this part of the project
To ensure Sussex Coast Explorers can be delivered in the most meaningful and inclusive way, we are aiming to raise an additional £1,000 to fund these unfunded in-school sessions.
We’ve launched a local fundraising campaign, and any support, whether donating or sharing, helps us make sure children are fully prepared and confident before heading to the coast.
Support the fundraiser here: https://gofund.me/0786a8642
For transparency, if we raise more than £1,000, any additional funds will go towards delivering further in-school coastal education sessions across Sussex. We’ll share updates on where and how that funding is spent.
Inviting schools to get involved
We’re currently inviting schools in Hastings and St Leonards to register their interest in taking part in Sussex Coast Explorers. Due to funding limitations, places are available for a limited number of classes, with priority given to schools where access to coastal learning opportunities may otherwise be limited.
We also welcome Expressions of Interest from schools across Sussex. Registering interest helps us demonstrate demand for the project and supports future funding applications that could allow us to expand Sussex Coast Explorers to more areas.
Register interest here: https://forms.gle/9gfYSxqs3ZMSZ8ft7
Looking ahead
By combining underwater storytelling, hands-on exploration, and citizen science, Sussex Coast Explorers aims to offer children the chance to understand their local environment, feel connected to it, and believe that their actions can make a positive difference, whilst ensuring the sea doesn’t stay out of sight, out of mind,.
We’re looking forward to working with schools, supporters, and partners to bring this project to life and to help inspire the next generation of coastal carers.
