Turn your classroom into conservation HQ
What if your pupils could dive beneath the waves, meet extraordinary marine animals, and discover how their own choices can protect the seas - all without leaving school?
Friends of the Sea is a free programme for KS2 teachers, packed with inspiring classroom challenges that spark curiosity, creativity and care for our blue planet.
Join Friends of the Sea – Free KS2 Resources
What is Friends of the Sea?
Friends of the Sea invites your class to become young ocean explorers.
Through hands-on challenges and discovery-led activities, pupils are encouraged to:
- ask big questions about the ocean
- explore fascinating marine life and habitats
- understand how humans affect the seas
- feel empowered to take positive action
Each challenge is designed to ignite wonder first, then gently build knowledge, understanding and responsibility
What will your pupils discover?
When you join Friends of the Sea, your pupils will:
- Wonder at strange and beautiful sea creatures
- Explore ocean habitats from coral reefs to the deep sea
- Discover how animals are adapted to survive
- Think about how they can protect the environment with simple day-to-day actions.
- Celebrate the ocean and advocate for it.
- Create campaigns that mobilise the wider school or local community to take action.
- Join-up with SEA LIFE Aquarium experts across the UK to learn about local and global ocean conservation projects, inspiring them to become young pioneers in the field of ocean conservation
- Feel proud knowing they can help protect marine life
These are the moments pupils remember - and talk about long after the lesson ends.
Empower Young Ocean Heroes - Join Friends of the Sea
What’s included for KS2 teachers?
As a Friends of the Sea teacher, you’ll receive:
- Ocean Challenge Cards Engaging activities designed to fit easily into KS2 lessons or topic work.
- Real-World Conservation Links Challenges connect learning to real issues affecting our oceans today.
- Sea Creature Knowledge An opportunity for students to discover awesome adaptations and global habitats. Collect free creature fact files.
- Teacher Guidance Clear instructions, discussion prompts and ideas for extending learning.
- Flexible Activities Perfect for whole-class learning, group work, or cross-curricular projects.
All resources are ready to use, adaptable, and designed to support curiosity-led learning.
Designed for the KS2 Curriculum
Friends of the Sea challenges naturally support KS2 learning across:
- Science - Living things and habitats, adaptation, food chains
- Geography - Oceans, environments, human impact
- English - Discussion, explanation texts, persuasive writing
- Art & Design - Observation, texture, colour and creative responses
- PSHE - Responsibility, sustainability and global citizenship
You’re not adding extra content - you’re enriching what you already teach.
| Topic / Learning Focus | Curriculum Skills & Experiences (All UK Nations) | Friends of the Sea Classroom Links & Activities |
| Environmental Change & Impact | Explore how environments change and how this affects living things; discuss human impact on ecosystems and habitats (all nations) | Understand human impacts on oceans and habitats; consider real world examples and solutions. |
| Habitats, Classification & Biodiversity | Identify and compare habitats; classify living things; link physical/behavioural traits to survival/extinction (all nations) | Creature focus on adaptation, classification, food chains and life cycles. |
| Geography & Place Knowledge | Study physical and human geography, resources, climate zones; compare local and global regions (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland) | Use ocean-based case studies to explore global interconnections and resource use. |
| Energy & Sustainability | Investigate energy transfer and conservation; explore renewable and sustainable energy sources (Scotland, and in broader environmental contexts across other curricula) | ‘Reduce your carbon footprint’ challenges; link energy choices to sustainability. |
| Science Skills (Inquiry & Research) | Develop curiosity, ask questions, research, present findings; relate evidence to conclusions (all nations) | Challenge cards promote research, observation, group work and scientific thinking. |
| English & Communication | Plan writing for purpose and audience; select vocabulary/grammar; participate in discussions, debates, presentations (all nations) | Tasks include persuasive writing, debate topics, presentations about ocean protection. |
| Citizenship & PSHE (Shared Responsibility) | Show care for others and environment; understand community roles; make ethical decisions about recycling, sustainability, wellbeing (England PSHE & equivalents) | Activities encourage compassionate choices (L4), environmental actions (L5) and valuing community contributions (L6-L7) |
| Personal Development & Engagement | Active participation in community; explore environmental responsibility; leadership and initiative (NI & equivalents). | Students initiate local campaigns, organise clean-ups, become ocean ambassadors. |
| Practical Conservation Skills | Apply learning through action-oriented tasks and real-world challenges (Scotland and all curricula emphasis on active learning) | Challenges include recycling plans, carbon tracking, campaigns, clean-ups and classroom displays. |
| Challenge Theme |
Student Outcomes (Action & Skills) |
| Protect the Ocean | Create recycling programmes and energy records; apply sustainability practices in school/home. |
| Advocate for the Ocean | Plan events (e.g. ocean parties, ambassador programmes); articulate ocean conservation messages. |
| Campaign & Mobilise | Organise campaigns, petitions, beach/waterway clean-ups; engage wider community. |
| Become Ocean Experts | Investigate species conservation stories; research rescue, rehabilitation and restoration. |
Teachers can:
- Pick a topic area (e.g. habitats, sustainability, communication) and match it to appropriate Friends of the Sea challenges.
- Link ocean conservation work to curriculum outcomes (science, geography, PSHE, literacy).
- Integrate projects across subjects e.g. a climate campaign (science + English + active citizenship)
Friends of the Sea isn’t a one-off worksheet - it’s an ongoing adventure.
By joining, you’ll be first to receive:
- New ocean-inspired classroom challenges
- Activities and ideas linked to marine life and conservation
- Ideas to connect classroom learning with a SEA LIFE visit
Each challenge helps your pupils build a deeper connection with the ocean over time.
Why Friends of the Sea Matters
Today’s KS2 pupils are tomorrow’s decision-makers.
Friends of the Sea helps children:
- fall in love with the ocean
- understand why it matters
- believe their actions can make a difference
Because protecting the sea starts with wonder.
Join the mission
Turn learning into impact - Discover your local SEA LIFE
Transform classroom learning into a powerful real-world experience with a SEA LIFE school trip — where pupils connect their conservation knowledge to live marine animals, deepen empathy, and see first-hand how they can help protect our oceans.
