The Tees Coastline:
Climate Change &
Sea Defences

 
  
We have received funding from the Environment Agency to support a Tees Tidelands Youth Engagement Project.
There are admission funded days available 
between January 2026 and March 2027

 Itinerary
  • Beginning with a classroom based presentation, pupils will be introduced to the ideas of global climate change, how rising sea levels impact our local Tees Coastline. 
  • We will discuss natural and built tidal defences and look at projects that allow deliberate flooding of saltmarsh areas to protect local houses and businesses.
  • This is followed by a visit to the North Gare Beach and Teesmouth National Nature Reserve to explore the beach and sand dunes as habitats and natural sea defences.
  • After lunch and a brief classroom session, the children will visit Greatham Creek. Using part of the England Coast Path, children will be guided on a short walk along the footpath, observing the saltmarsh habitat. The children will be shown how to use binoculars to view the birds and seals that inhabit this unique area.
Learning Objectives 
Science & Geography National Curriculum Links
  • Recognise that environments can change, including human impact, and how this can pose dangers to living things.
  • Identify coastal features local to the area. 
  • Identify the three coastal habitats of sand dunes, beach and rocks found at Teesmouth. To learn about the different plants and animals who live there. 
  • Learn about human impacts on the coast including erosion due to climate change, fires in the sand dunes and litter on the beach. 

Booking Information


  • Cost of visit -  We have received funding from the Environment Agency to support a Tees Tidelands Youth Engagement Project. This funding means we can offer a number of admission-free days for schools to book, allocated on a first come, first served basis.
  • Once all of the grant-funded places have been used, schools can continue to book this option as a paid (£3 per pupil) visit.
  • Maximum number of pupils - 40 per day, plus staff/adult helpers.
  • The grant funding covers the £3 entrance charge, schools will still need to hire their own transport for the visit. Please be aware that when booking your coach, it needs to stay with the group for the whole day and is used to take the group to the North Gare beach and Greatham Creek during the visit.
  • Groups can arrive from 9:30am and usually leave around 2:30pm, flexible depending on journey length.
  • Packed lunches can be taken in the Field Centre classroom or on picnic benches outside, weather permitting. Groups will need to take any rubbish from lunch back to school with them.
  • All visitors need to bring a packed lunch, including all adults with the group, as there are no on-site facilities to purchase food.
  • Toilets, hand washing basins and a fully accessible toilet are available within the Field Centre building.
  • The visit will be led by Field Centre Staff, who all have enhanced DBS checks.
  • Risk assessments will be sent out with booking information.
  • Cancellation fee is waived for the funded days of this project.

To book or make an enquiry, please email: teesmouthfieldcentre@gmail.com or call: 01429 853847