As active supporters of access to STEM careers and readiness for students, Hayling Island based Lockheed Martin UK, are continuing for a second year, to sponsor educational field trips to Chichester Harbour for Hampshire Primary School children.
The Chichester Harbour Champions programme welcomes groups of primary school children on fully funded educational visits to Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s Education Centre at Dell Quay. The children get to spend time outside and explore nature in the harbour, learning about the unique coastal habitats and wildlife on their doorstep.
The field trips combine curriculum based learning with fun outdoor activities including hands-on pond dipping in beautiful Fishbourne Meadow and hunting for marine creatures on the beach at Dell Quay. Under the expert guidance of the Conservancy Education Team the children develop their understanding of key curriculum topics. This year’s topics include Classification and the Evolution of Species and Habitats and Living Things.
Bosmere Junior School has a long association with the Chichester Harbour Education Centre since it opened in 1999. This year the school have bought 90 children from year 6 groups on Chichester Harbour Champions field trips to the harbour. Overall, funding from Lockheed Martin in 2025 has enabled 500 young people to visit and learn in Chichester Harbour
School Governor, Nick Durkee, said “We have always been impressed with the quality of education provided. We particularly appreciate how over the years the education team has adapted the trips to fit with the needs of the changing Geography curriculum and how the provision is always age appropriate for the year group visiting.”
Mr Durkee added “Curriculum apart, the biggest benefit is the fantastic life experiences that the Chichester Harbour Conservancy education team provide for young children that otherwise would often never experience the wonderful environment of Chichester Harbour. We are very lucky to have such a brilliant resource available locally.”
Key to the success of the programme has been the funding of both the cost of the field trips and the cost of travel to the Dell Quay Education Centre. For many schools the cost of travel makes field trips simply too expensive.
“A key part of the provision is the availability of the CHC Minibus which enables us to visit with just one minibus of our own, thus reducing costs for the school & parents, said Mr Durkee. “In times of restricted school budgets we are very grateful for this provision and for the financial support that Lockheed Martin give to the programme.”
Chris Harrison, Group Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK said,
“We’re proud to sponsor the Chichester Harbour Champions programme, giving local primary‑schools the chance to discover and learn about the coastal habitats on their doorstep. By supporting hands‑on experiences, Lockheed Martin is helping to nurture the next generation of stewards who will protect the places where we live and work.”
Jane Latawski, Head of the Chichester Harbour Conservancy Education Centre said,
“We are so grateful to Lockheed Martin for supporting a second year of the programme which allows even more children from Hampshire schools to benefit. We know many schools and parents struggle with the cost of educational trips. The sponsorship has given us the fantastic opportunity to offer fully funded field trips to schools. Feedback from the young people and their teachers continues to be hugely positive and we hope to build on the project and foster more ‘Chichester Harbour Champions’ in future years!”
