UK Sailing Academy (UKSA)
Photos of UK Sailing Academy (UKSA)
What will students see and do?
UKSA is a leading watersports centre based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
Every year it welcomes over 6,000 beneficiaries from schools and groups on a residential or non-residential basis. From day visits to three-day or five-day residential trips, there is something for all.
Fun-packed watersports and team-building programmes offer the perfect options for Year 6 transition breaks, Year 7 and 8 team-building visits, or career insights for 14–17-year-olds.
Learn to sail, kayak, windsurf or paddleboard, or choose raft building and on-the-water team-building activities. All on- and off-the-water activities are adaptable and inclusive for individuals with special educational and disabled needs.
Residential programmes include:
- Sole-occupancy dormitory-style rooms with coded door access to each block
- Separate leader rooms in the same block as students
- Full board – hearty breakfast, packed lunch and a wholesome evening meal
- Return ferry travel to and from the Isle of Wight (from Portsmouth or Southampton)
- Daily action-packed bespoke watersports and team-building activities
- Fully supervised evening entertainment
- All wetsuits and safety equipment
- One free leader place per 10 participants
- Access to a dedicated chill-out area for children
- Instructor-student ratio of 1:6 for on-the-water activities
- CCTV perimeter fences and secure front gates
How does the trip link to the curriculum?
Boasting over 35 years of experience, UKSA is a maritime youth charity with a vision to inspire and support young people to broaden their horizons through life enhancing water-based adventures, education, and pathways for training for careers at sea.
The wider benefits of participation in watersports are widely recognised: they offer inspiration and enjoyment, encourage teamwork, and boost self-confidence and self-reliance, as well as providing opportunities to make and seal friendships.
UKSA’s courses are designed to build confidence, encourage collaboration, and teach skills for life in an aspirational and safe environment.
UKSA defines skills for life as being the six steps to success. They measure young people’s perceptions of their communication, decision making, participation, self-belief, determination, and resilience at the end of their residential stay.
The team will share the outcomes achieved and insights gathered with schools to measure the impact of the experience on students’ personal development.
Visits can be tailored to include RYA and BC qualifications.
Subjects covered
Teaching resources provided
UKSA is accredited by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.
On site, facilities and activities have all been evaluated for learning and safety by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority and meet the exacting standards required to pass annual inspections.
Minimum and maximum group size
UKSA’s large four-acre site can accommodate groups small or large (up to 200+ people), from age eight years and above.
Details of risk assessment
The safety, well-being, and enjoyment of those visiting UKSA is the academy’s number one priority. It offers a home-from-home for visiting young people, and the team pride themselves on their exemplary safety protocols, which sit within a robust and fully compliant framework.
The academy has risk assessments for both day and evening activities, as well as for all sites used around the island. Teachers are more than welcome to complete their own risk assessments or can ask the team regarding any queries they may have.
Additionally, all UKSA’s watersports and evening entertainment instructors are fully qualified first aiders.
Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment
Facilities on-site
On-site facilities include:
- Dormitory-style accommodation blocks
- Dining room and in-house catering serving freshly cooked meals
- Indoor heated swimming pool
- Full-sized sports hall
- Drying room for wet kit
- Changing rooms and toilets
- Disabled access
- Wi-Fi
- Bar (The Bridge)
- Dedicated young person’s chillout area
- Study areas and classrooms
Opening times
UKSA is open all year round, 8am – 6pm, seven days a week, with the exception of a few days over the Christmas and New Year period. (Duty and evening supervisors are on-site out of these hours.)
Pricing
The cost of a residential trip to UKSA depends upon the time of the year and length of stay.
UKSA offers complimentary teacher familiarisation weekends with no obligation to book – it’s an opportunity for teachers to look around and discuss what the academy can offer a school.
With the generous support of individuals and donors, UKSA often has funding available for those children who do not have the financial support to join their classmates on a residential trip. Please contact UKSA for further details.
Travel arrangements
Return ferry travel to and from the Isle of Wight (from Portsmouth or Southampton) is included within a residential package.
Address
Arctic Road
Cowes
Isle of Wight
PO31 7PQ
Book your school trip to UK Sailing Academy (UKSA)
For information on booking your school trip to this venue, click below.
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