Youngsters learn more about cross-Solent travel with Wightlink

Nine Acres Primary school in Newport, Isle of Wight teamed up with ferry company Wightlink to give geography pupils a first-hand lesson in the importance of cross-Solent travel.

Sixty Year Two children travelled to Wightlink’s Fishbourne terminal to find out what kind of vehicles were using a Tuesday afternoon sailing.

The trip – the first the school has undertaken since the Covid pandemic – was part of lessons at Nine Acres to highlight the importance of seas and oceans.

“In this case it was explaining to children how crucial the Solent is to where we live and how we live our lives,” says Nine Acres teacher Ella Hayward who organised the trip.

“Children were able to see the loading of a ferry to demonstrate the various reasons why people cross the Solent.

“But the trip was also about showing children the world of possibilities out there available to them – both on the Island and further afield. This aspect was especially useful, given we have not been able to go on school visits because of lockdown so the children were super excited about getting out for the afternoon.”

As part of the excursion, the school party stopped off at other coastal locations to view other aspects of the Island’s maritime environment including Ryde Pier and Ryde Harbour.

Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield says: “We already work with partner schools nearest to our terminals to encourage educational and aspirational projects particularly those that focus on the environment and promote careers in the maritime sector.

“It was great to be able to welcome Nine Acres too and we hope they found the visit enjoyable and informative. Who knows, maybe amongst the group is a future Wightlink Captain?”

Picture caption: Charlie from Nine Acres Primary meets Wightlink’s Island Ports Operations Manager Martin Gulliver 


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