Adventure Under Sail - Park High & Foxfield

Park High School, Specialist Sports College, in Birkenhead works in partnership with Foxfield Special School in Moreton to help raise standards in physical education and sport. The Youth Sports Trust, which is a government advisory organisation dedicated to the development of high quality education in PE and sport, have now presented them with a national award. Last July an ‘Adventure Under Sail’ project took place where Park High School worked with the Ocean Youth Trust and Foxfield School. Nine students from Foxfield and two Sports Leaders from Park High School embarked not only on a voyage at sea but also on a voyage of discovery about themselves.

This magnificent and exceptionally challenging experience enabled them to learn a great deal, not only about sailing an ocean-going vessel but also about team work and survival techniques.

Park High’s Sports Leaders were impressive in their ability to support and work with Foxfield students who face daily challenges of their own. They bonded with their peers, became valuable members of the crew and took on much of the workload and responsibility for the sailing tasks. Journalistic skills were also developed as they reported through a daily broadcast to BBC Radio Merseyside.

The prize for winning the Innovation Award is a visit from double gold medallist, Dame Kelly Holmes will fly into the school by helicopter to meet the intrepid adventurers in July 2008.