Sixth form students at Isle of Wight’s St George’s School in Newport have benefited from life-enhancing experiences thanks to a funded visit to UKSA.
The Isle of Wight-based charity, which provides water-based adventures, education and world-leading maritime training, was able to fund 25 students from the school where all students have additional needs.
The group of 16 to 19-year-olds visited UKSA in Cowes from Monday to Friday on day visits, spending the week taking part in an outdoor learning programme which gave the opportunity to try activities which included dinghy sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and raft building.
David Stephens, class teacher at St George’s School who led the visit said:
“I cannot praise UKSA enough for the opportunity our sixth formers have been provided and without its funding would simply not have been possible. Before Covid, our students had stayed overnight on Hayling Island but this was the biggest trip of this kind for a number of years, particularly for sixth formers.”
“Due to the needs of our students, many of them would prefer to stay at home a lot and not want to go out and socialise. So from the outset, the group we took were very anxious, had reservations about wearing wetsuits and not wanting to go in cold water. Despite lots of fears and worries, they all joined in and took part, pushing themselves out of their comfort zone.
“Despite living on the Island, many of our students had never been in the sea. The instructors were incredibly patient and teamed with being encouraged by their peers, their water confidence grew very quickly.
“There’s something about being on the water, taking you out of your comfort zone and that perceived fear. I think getting in the water, overcoming the fear and gaining that self belief was great and I definitely think the students got the most out of the in-water activities.”
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Students from St George’s were further inspired when greeted by 4 former students who are now employed by UKSA.
David concluded:
“1 student in particular who left our sixth form last year joined UKSA’s foundation programme and was an instructor for our group. It was so great for the current students to have those role models and see how those next career steps are in reach.
“This experience has made such a difference to our students. They have all come away saying how much they enjoyed it, even those who believed they would not. Teamed with the former students who now have their careers underway with UKSA, the students are very inspired for the future.”
