Children from Ysgol Glan Gele have been enjoying Beach School this half term, with Mrs. Casson and Mrs. Roberts.
This week, the children had the opportunity to learn about the SSSI status of our shingle beach during an immersive outdoor lesson in collaboration with Abergele Town Council as part of the “Beach of Dreams” national initiative. Beach of Dreams aims to celebrate the coastlines of Scotland, Ireland, England and of course, Wales, and to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our coastlines for the wellbeing of our future generations.
Donned in red hats, waterproofs, and wellies, the children arrived at Pensarn beach - the shingle beach was the perfect setting for this hands-on learning adventure, and the children were ready to explore and learn.
Equipped with spotter sheets, the children embarked on a wildlife hunt to explore the biodiversity of the shingle beach. Children carefully scanned the rocks and sand, searching for evidence of plant and marine life. They all worked so well to find and identify various types of wildlife, from tiny sea creatures like crabs, mussels, and scallops to bladderwrack, sea beet, sea campion, and even yellow horned poppy.
Shingle beaches are home to some fascinating species that often go unnoticed by casual beachgoers, but through their Beach School experiences, the children of Ysgol Glan Gele are not only developing many skills, but also an appreciation for the natural environment that is right on our front door, a sense of pride in our local beach, and a deeper connection to our coastline.
The children showed themselves to be good listeners, eager to learn, and proved themselves to be “ace detectives”, all whilst having fun. At the end of the session the children enjoyed some free playtime on the beach before enjoying a well-earned snack – what a pleasure it was to see and hear them playing in the sand, mucking in, and letting their imaginations run free.
Beach of Dreams will be coming to North Wales in May 2025
