How schools can celebrate World Ocean Day

Why is World Ocean Day important for schools?

World Ocean Day provides an opportunity to explore the importance of oceans, marine habitats and the environmental challenges they face. For schools, it can also bring sustainability to life by connecting classroom learning with practical action.

The Environment Agency has previously used World Ocean Day to help primary and secondary pupils understand how plastic can travel from everyday environments through drains and rivers before eventually reaching the sea. Activities have included litter picking, mapping the journey of plastic and exploring different types of plastic pollution.

This fits naturally with the Department for Education’s wider approach to sustainability. Its sustainability and climate change strategy encourages education settings to help children and young people understand the natural world while creating opportunities for them to turn that knowledge into positive action.

World Ocean Day does not need to become another major event for an already busy school calendar. A focused lesson, assembly, litter pick or pupil-led project can be enough to start meaningful conversations.

How can schools take part in World Ocean Day?

There are plenty of ways to celebrate World Ocean Day, whether you have an entire day available or only a short lesson or assembly.

The most effective activities are usually those that pupils can understand, take part in and continue beyond 8 June.

1. Review how seafood is sourced

Schools do not need to remove fish from their menus to support healthier oceans.

In England, the school food standards require maintained schools and academies to provide oily fish at least once every three weeks. Current government guidance also recommends looking at responsibly sourced fish when planning school menus.

Instead of simply having a ‘no seafood’ day, speak to your catering team or supplier about where fish comes from and how it is sourced.

Pupils could explore questions such as:

• Where does the fish served in school come from?
• What does sustainable fishing mean?
• How can consumers make more informed choices?
• What other protein sources are available?

This turns a school meal into an opportunity for environmental learning without conflicting with nutritional requirements.

2. Plan an ocean, river or coastal trip

One of the most memorable ways to learn about marine environments is to see them first-hand.

If your school is near the coast, consider planning a beach visit. Schools further inland can explore rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs or aquariums and discuss how inland waterways ultimately connect with wider ecosystems.

Activities could include:

• carrying out a supervised litter pick using litter pickers and gloves
• identifying different types of litter
• recording findings on clipboards
• studying maps of rivers, coastlines and oceans
• creating a tally chart of items found
• taking photographs to compare areas before and after a clean-up
• discussing how rubbish can travel from streets and drains into waterways
• using the visit as inspiration for later art materials and classroom projects

For any off-site activity, follow your school’s educational visit procedures. Department for Education guidance explains that trips outside existing procedures may require additional planning and a proportionate risk assessment, particularly where the location or activity introduces additional risks.

3. Reduce unnecessary single-use plastics

Reducing unnecessary single-use plastics is one of the most practical actions a school can take.

Start by looking at where disposable items are used most frequently. This may include catering, classrooms, staffrooms, events, cleaning and packed lunches.

Schools could consider introducing or increasing the use of:

• reusable water bottles
• reusable lunch boxes
• washable tableware
• refillable cleaning systems
• reusable storage containers
• recycling bins
• reusable craft materials where appropriate

Government restrictions already ban or limit the supply of several single-use plastic products in England. However, there are exemptions for some items and circumstances, including single-use plastic straws in schools. Accessibility, medical and individual pupil requirements should therefore always be considered before changing provision.

A common mistake is attempting to remove every piece of plastic immediately. Begin with the items your school uses most frequently and identify realistic alternatives that staff and pupils can continue using.

4. Carry out a school plastic audit

World Ocean Day can also be used to find out how much disposable plastic your school is actually using.

Ask a pupil eco-committee, school council or class to investigate different areas of the school.

They could look at:

• classrooms
• the staffroom
• school kitchens
• offices
• cleaning cupboards
• lunch areas
• art and craft storage

Record which disposable products appear regularly and consider whether they could be reduced, reused or replaced.

Eco-Schools has highlighted examples of pupils taking action on marine issues through reducing single-use plastics, reusing water bottles and organising environmental projects.

The findings from a simple audit could also contribute towards your school’s wider climate action plan.

5. Organise a World Ocean Day activity

A World Ocean Day activity does not have to be complicated.

You could organise:

• an ocean-themed assembly
• an environmental poster competition
• an ocean documentary screening
• a marine-themed reading session
• an ocean art display
• a litter-picking challenge
• a recycling challenge
• a classroom debate about plastic pollution
• an ocean-themed quiz
• a fundraising event for an appropriate marine charity

Use paper, card, reusable display materials and existing school supplies wherever possible rather than buying large quantities of resources specifically for one day.

Pupils could also create posters explaining simple actions that families can take at home, helping the message reach the wider school community.

6. Give pupils ownership of the day

World Ocean Day can be particularly effective when pupils help decide what happens.

Your school council, eco-committee or student voice group could choose an activity, divide responsibilities and communicate the event to other pupils.

They might:

• design posters
• prepare an assembly
• create questions for a quiz
• organise recycling stations
• monitor litter
• survey pupils about environmental habits
• present recommendations to school leaders

Pupil involvement turns World Ocean Day from something the school simply ‘celebrates’ into an opportunity for children and young people to practise leadership and environmental responsibility.

It can also help schools identify which sustainability issues pupils care about most.

7. Look at the products your school buys

World Ocean Day is also a useful prompt for reviewing everyday purchasing decisions.

Rather than replacing perfectly usable resources, focus on what happens when products genuinely need replenishing.

When comparing school supplies, consider:

• whether an item can be reused
• the amount of packaging
• whether packaging can be recycled
• product durability
• whether refillable alternatives are available
• whether buying in larger quantities could reduce unnecessary packaging
• whole-life value rather than simply the lowest purchase price

Areas worth reviewing can include cleaning products, stationery, paper, storage containers and frequently replaced classroom resources.

The Department for Education’s sustainability strategy specifically identifies school operations and supply chains as part of a whole-setting approach to sustainability. Its buying guidance also encourages schools to plan purchases carefully and use appropriate procurement routes.

What practical approaches work best?

Start small and choose actions that can realistically continue after World Ocean Day.

For example, rather than organising a one-off recycling campaign, pupils could monitor recycling bins for a term. Instead of buying new decorations for an ocean display, classes could reuse paper, card and display materials already available.

Schools can also connect activities to existing priorities including science, geography, art, citizenship, sustainability, student voice and school improvement.

This helps World Ocean Day become part of everyday learning rather than an isolated awareness day.

What mistakes should schools avoid?

One of the biggest mistakes is trying to change too much at once.

Avoid introducing environmental initiatives without considering cost, staff workload, accessibility or how products are actually used.

Schools should also avoid replacing usable products simply because a more environmentally friendly alternative exists. Extending the life of existing resources can often be more sensible than unnecessary replacement.

For school trips or litter picks, make sure activities are appropriately planned and supervised. For catering changes, continue to follow the school food standards. For purchasing decisions, consider durability, value and practical use alongside environmental credentials.

A sustainable approach needs to work for the whole school.

How can schools implement World Ocean Day successfully?

Choose one or two achievable actions and decide who will lead them.

A simple approach could be:

1. Ask pupils what ocean or plastic pollution issue they want to explore.
2. Choose one practical activity.
3. Decide which staff and pupils will be responsible.
4. Gather only the resources you genuinely need.
5. Explain why the activity matters.
6. Review what pupils learned afterwards.
7. Identify one action worth continuing during the rest of the year.

Schools with a sustainability lead or climate action plan can also use World Ocean Day activities as evidence of wider pupil engagement and environmental action. DfE guidance promotes a whole-setting approach involving leadership, teaching, operations and the wider school community.

How does GLS support schools with sustainability?

Schools need sustainability choices that are practical as well as environmentally responsible.

GLS works with schools every day, so we understand that purchasing decisions must balance sustainability with budgets, durability, workload and the needs of pupils and staff.

Whether you are reviewing cleaning products, stationery, classroom resources or everyday school supplies, look for opportunities to reduce unnecessary waste, choose reusable products where they make sense and make existing resources last longer.

There is no need to transform everything overnight. Consistent, manageable changes across the school can make sustainability easier to maintain.

Schools. We get you.

Conclusion

World Ocean Day is a useful opportunity to help pupils understand that protecting marine environments is connected to everyday choices.

Whether your school organises a litter pick, reviews single-use plastics, involves its eco-committee or simply delivers an ocean-themed lesson, focus on actions that are practical and meaningful.

Most importantly, do not stop on 8 June. Use the day to identify small changes that staff and pupils can continue throughout the year.