Cirencester Deer Park School in Gloucestershire has seen some of its students experience their first ever residential as a result of funding from UKSA.
The Isle of Wight based charity, which provides water-based adventures, education and maritime training, funded 18 students from the secondary school, where 20% of students are pupil premium.
Abi Johnson, pastoral leader and Year 10 leader who ran the trip for Year 8, 9 and 10 students, said: “Pupil premium students do get a discount on residential opportunities like this but there still remains a large sum to contribute which many of our families are simply unable to do. UKSA made the trip accessible to those students who never usually get the opportunity to go on trips like this.”
Students “absolutely loved” the trip
For many of the children, the five-day residential was the first time they’d stayed away from home. Leaving Portsmouth on the Monday morning, the group travelled to the Isle of Wight on a small passenger boat rather than a typical ferry.
“The mixture of Years 8, 9 and 10 saw children mix who would not usually have the opportunity to and the school also took some siblings which enabled the younger ones to feel more comfortable and confident having their older brother or sister with them.”
Abi Johnson, pastoral leader and Year 10 leader at Cirencester Deer Park School
“For some of the students this was the first time they’d ever been on the water but they absolutely loved it,” said Abi. “The minute they were told if you sit at the back you will get soaked, they all sat at the back and got absolutely soaked through. But they loved it, and it was a fantastic experience for them before we had even got to the island.
“The mixture of Years 8, 9 and 10 saw children mix who would not usually have the opportunity to and the school also took some siblings which enabled the younger ones to feel more comfortable and confident having their older brother or sister with them. The group came together really well and were so encouraging and supportive of each other, particularly regarding water confidence.”
The students spent the week at UKSA’s Sea.Change accommodation facility with a water-based outdoor learning programme giving the opportunity to try activities which included dinghy sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and raft building.
Outdoor learning activities during the day were complemented by evening activities such as indoor football, swimming, archery, crabbing and games in the park.
Abi said: “I think the girls in particular came with both the least confidence in terms of their water ability but also the prospect of spending time away from home and not knowing people was very real.
“Many of them did not want to take part in the activities, particularly paddleboarding. However, by the end of the week, having spent a few days with the amazing instructors encouraging them, they were giving the activities a go, could see that they could do it and were actually good at it. That process of change in terms of their confidence in interacting with others and team building was wonderful.”
The changes were not only seen in the girls but also the boys, who despite being more confident to begin with, used the techniques UKSA were teaching to put them into practice.
Abi added: “For several of our students, this is an experience that they have never had before and without UKSA offering the opportunity of the trip, they never would have. The children are feeling inspired about the possibility of returning to UKSA and considering courses it offers which they would previously never have considered. It is hard to express just how awesome that is.”
UKSA offers young people of all abilities activities where they can learn skills for life in an aspirational and safe environment with bespoke programmes designed to build confidence and encourage teamwork using water sports with the great outdoors as a catalyst for positive outcomes.
For more information about school visits to UKSA, visit uksa.org.
