This Geography scheme of work video supports teachers in delivering two linked lessons focused on the Great Barrier Reef and the wider environmental threats facing our oceans. The video provides rich subject knowledge to help pupils explore the ecological importance of coral reefs, the human impact on marine environments, and how global and local action can help protect these vital ecosystems.

Pupils begin by locating Australia and the Great Barrier Reef on a world map, using a scale bar to estimate its length and width. They learn that the Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth, composed of around 3,000 individual coral reefs and visible from space. Teachers are guided in explaining how coral is formed by polyps, tiny jellyfish-like creatures, and how coral reefs grow slowly in shallow, sunlit, equatorial waters. Pupils also explore the reef’s role as a natural barrier, protecting coastlines from storms and erosion, and discover how, despite occupying less than 0.1% of the ocean, coral reefs support nearly a quarter of all marine species.

The video highlights the vital contributions of coral reefs and oceans to food security, medicine, tourism, and employment, while introducing the challenges posed by global warming, coral bleaching, and plastic pollution. The lesson also examines the broader consequences of sea-level rise, microplastics, and overfishing. While this lesson highlights the threats, the second half of the unit shifts focus to positive action.

Teachers are encouraged to use this content as a foundation for exploring how communities and individuals can protect ocean habitats at both a local and global scale.

See more of our Year 5 and Year 6 Geography scheme of work and our collection of Teacher videos on Oceans.

• Geography, Year 5, Why do oceans matter?, Lesson 2: What is the Great Barrier Reef?
• Geography, Year 5, Why do oceans matter?, Lesson 3: Why are our oceans suffering?
• Geography, Y5/6 (B), Why do oceans matter?, Y5/6 (B): Lesson 2: What is the Great Barrier Reef?
• Geography, Y5//6 (B), Why do oceans matter?, Y5/6 (B): Lesson 3: Why are our oceans suffering?