Environmental not-for-profit City to Sea has launched a new education programme Rethink Water to guide students on how to save water and protect the environment.

The programme, which is free for schools and has been created in partnership with UK utility Southern Water, will initially launch as a pilot project with six schools and will then roll out to over 300 schools across southern England in the next 18 months.

Natalie Fée, chief executive and founder of City to Sea, said: “Young people are leading the agenda on the climate and ecological crisis and no longer accepting the inaction of older generations. This is our effort to help arm them with the information they need to be the best possible ambassadors for the changes we need to see.

“I hope with a better appreciation of the high-quality water coming from our taps we can empower the next generation to be part of the #RefillRevolution and turn the tide on plastic pollution whilst saving water.”

Designed by teachers, for teachers, the programme will help uncover some of the facts and myths about bottled and tap water, educate children about why they should refill and reuse containers and enable them to discover top tips on how to save water. The resources, available free of change, include assembly packs as well as activities and lesson plans for English, maths, geography and art. They encourage the kids to take the eco messages home with them to be pioneers of change in their own community

Being part of the programme will also help schools be recognised in the International Eco Schools Green Flag award.

Dr Toby Willison, Southern Water’s director of environment & corporate affairs, said: “Our region faces a future of more people and less water. We all need to change how we understand and value water, and we believe in young people and that they can be some of the best ambassadors in our communities to drive that change.”

The project comes off the back of the award winning Rethink Periods campaign, also supported by Southern Water, that saw City to Sea roll out a  free, nationwide schools programme updating mainstream period education in primary and secondary schools.

For more information: refill.org.uk/rethink-water