Supporting life-long learning in Chichester Harbour
The stunning estuary of Chichester Harbour is a place where people of all ages and abilities can develop an understanding and appreciation of one of England’s most cherished landscapes.
Chichester Harbour Conservancy works with visiting schools and colleges, enabling children and young people to learn about the natural environment of the coast. The variety of habitats in Chichester Harbour make it an ideal outdoor learning environment.
Since the opening of the Education Centre in 1999, the Education Team have developed a sophisticated and well-structured formal programme open to students of all ages, working closely with Hampshire and West Sussex schools as well as those from further afield. This programme covers the complete range of educational establishments from primary to adult and includes special education as well as specialist interest groups. Around 10,000 pupil sessions are run each year (one session is a single pupil visiting the Harbour for half-a-day). This figure includes field trips in several locations as well as on the water, using Solar Heritage.
Chichester Harbour Conservancy is committed to giving pupils and students the opportunity to explore the great outdoors, whilst learning and developing new skills from their experiences. Beaky’s Wildlife Area at Dell Quay provides a location for younger children to learn and is also used for our Harbour Tots pre-school sessions. It’s also a suitable space for special educational needs groups to enjoy time outside in a safe environment.
The formal education programme continues to be developed in the context of the Management Plan and in relation to the demands of the National Curriculum. This results in curriculum-related activities designed to bring a better understanding of, and a sense of guardianship for, this protected landscape.
The learning programmes focus on outdoor and first-hand experiences, including art and photography, coasts and rivers, citizenship (Junior Conservancy), history, investigating animals, plants and habitats, literacy and numeracy, and life skills.