A group of 60 year nine students from Milford Haven Comprehensive School are the first to complete a new educational programme unique to Pembrokeshire.

The programme, called ‘Coastal Curriculum’, is a collaborative initiative developed for the Port of Milford Haven by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum (PCF) with additional support from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Sustainable Development Fund. The programme aims to engage students in local coastal matters and highlight important issues such as sustainable development as well as promote career opportunities within the maritime, coastal and renewable energy sectors.

Coastal Curriculum delivers in-lesson activities in line with the National Curriculum, relating subject matters to opportunities and issues at a Pembrokeshire level.

In 2015, the project was piloted in two geography classes at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, with staff from PCF delivering lessons to two class groups in year nine. The lessons provided students with local economic, social and environmental awareness which they were then able to use to demonstrate understanding of the subject matter in their forthcoming examinations.

Speaking of the impact the programme had on his year nine students, head of geography at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, Mr. Letton, said: “Getting the students across each of the key stages interested in the port and its activities is important for them as it will put some of the knowledge and skills they have learnt in school into context.”

Coastal Curriculum forms a major part of the Port of Milford Haven’s educational engagement activity.

Anna Malloy, PR and communications manager at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “As a Trust Port, ‘future generations’ are the Port’s ultimate stakeholder. Working collaboratively with PCF on this project has enriched our outreach to schools and enabled us to engage with children of all ages in fun, imaginative ways. We are especially grateful to Milford Haven Comprehensive School for their support with the pilot Coastal Curriculum project in 2015. Mr. Letton provided valuable input which has helped to shape the project going forward.”

.Jodie McGregor, engagement co-ordinator at Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, said: “We are glad to have had such positive feedback from the school following this successful pilot. We very much look forward to building lasting relationships with schools and businesses across Pembrokeshire, allowing those involved to help our future generations to realise the many opportunities available around them.”