Agreement secured for continued sailing tuition in Bailiwick schools
- The Guernsey Sailing Trust has renewed its agreement with Education, Sport & Culture.
- Free boating tuition will be provided to all States-maintained schools for an additional five years.
- Approximately 2,500 students benefit annually from sailing and powerboating lessons.
- In 2024, over 4,600 school sessions were conducted, including specialised sessions for individuals with disabilities.
- The Trust also engages young people in employment and volunteer opportunities.
The Guernsey Sailing Trust has renewed its agreement with Education, Sport & Culture, ensuring that free sailing and boating tuition remains available to all States-maintained schools in the Bailiwick for another five years.
This initiative supports around 2,500 students annually who partake in sailing, powerboating, and various water-based learning experiences.
ESC provides grant funding of nearly £50,000 a year that allows the Trust to provide recognised RYA accredited qualifications. The Trust's service is governed by a Service Level Agreement, which has now been extended for five additional years.
In 2024, students across Guernsey, Alderney, Herm, and Sark participated in a total of 4,608 school sessions. This included 523 "Sailability" sessions specifically designed for those with disabilities, enabling them to engage in sailing with the help of specialised equipment.
The Trust also employs younger people, offering them work experience opportunities. In 2024, 62 people under the age of 21 were hired, many of whom gained valuable work experience for the first time. Additionally, the Trust assisted completion of Duke of Edinburgh volunteering requirements.
Sarah Creasey, Principal of Guernsey Sailing Trust, said: “Providing boating opportunities to young people in Guernsey is at the very heart of the Guernsey Sailing Trust. Being able to offer free tuition to young people helps ensure they can benefit from the experience and develop important skills associated with living on an island such as water confidence, safety, environmental awareness and more transferable attributes such as independence, teamwork and resilience.”
ESC President Paul Montague said: “I am pleased the previous Committee renewed the agreement with Guernsey Sailing Trust, so that they can continue to provide such valuable enrichment opportunities to our students. Through the agreement, all pupils are benefitting from a variety of experiences - from navigation, to sailing on the pond, then progressing from sheltered water to taking boats out on the sea.”
Deputy Montague highlighted the contribution of sailing in developing transferable skills and attaining accredited qualifications, while also allowing students to enjoy the island's outdoor environment.
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