SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT: PRIORY SAILWISE

A fantastic opportunity arose for students at Priory with a programme that allowed the entire Year 7 cohort to experience sailing for free during the autumn term. Many of the students did not know each other at the start of term, and it allowed them to develop socially and get to know each other outside of the classroom.

The 1851 Trust, which is an education charity connected to Ben Ainslie Racing’s America’s Cup Team, hosted the students in the morning when the children used their Tech Deck to learn about their physiology and nutrition. The students used a simulator of a grinder which is used to raise the sails on a boat. Students measured their change in pulse rate and learnt to understand about the different muscles used and how their body works.

Following the morning session, the students had the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge they had gained with a sailing session. The afternoon sailing activities were run by the Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre where students were given the knowledge and confidence to be safe on the water as well as learning the skills of sailing. It was also a chance for the children to develop personal skills of teamwork, communication and coordination. A lead instructor commented: ‘Once you are out at sea in a boat, even if you are out of your comfort zone, you can’t simply get off or walk away. In challenging conditions you have to dig in and get on with it. It helps to develop a resilience and independence – characteristics needed in all aspects of life.’ Teaching staff involved in the programme feel it supports students’ learning as it allows them to see the application of knowledge and skills.

Here’s a selection of what the pupils had to say!

Bill: ‘It was great fun. We have been learning the science about how the boat turns. It was really windy out there and we had to use teamwork and communication.’

Jasmine: ‘I was really apprehensive at first but now I am glad I did it. We really had to concentrate on what we were doing.’

Oliver: ‘I learnt how to control the mast and the boat. We had to be coordinated and use a lot of teamwork. I would certainly like the chance to go sailing again.’

Tyler: ‘I am really grateful for this opportunity as it is not something I would normally have got the chance to do. The first waves were really strong and I thought we were going to capsize. We really had to work together to get through it.’