Parley Ocean School

Every second breath we take comes from the ocean. Most of the children who join our Ocean School have never thought about that before. Many live within walking distance of the sea but have never set foot in it. For them, the ocean often represents danger, not belonging.

Parley Ocean School is an eight-week educational programme that helps children understand their connection to the ocean and their role in protecting it. The curriculum follows the Parley AIR strategy — Avoid, Intercept, Redesign — and turns these concepts into practical learning experiences. Participants examine waste collected during beach cleanups, trace the journey of plastic from river to sea, and explore how design and innovation can change human behaviour.

Lessons take place at our beachside classroom and along the water’s edge. Through a mix of science, art, and storytelling, children learn how the ocean shapes weather, climate, and oxygen. They meet marine biologists, divers, and environmentalists who show them what’s possible when curiosity meets care.

Key Experiences

- Hands-on experiments and field observations

- Participation in coastal cleanups as part of the Parley Global Cleanup Network

- Guest workshops with ocean professionals from diverse fields

- Team projects that build critical thinking and collaboration

- A transition into our Turn the Tide ocean immersion programme after graduation

The greatest change happens gradually. Fear gives way to curiosity. Curiosity becomes care. Children begin to pick up litter without being asked, to question why plastic is everywhere, and to talk about the ocean at home. They begin to see that protecting the sea is not an abstract cause, but an act of belonging — a recognition that the health of the ocean and the health of our communities are inseparable.