Gatcombe Park Primary School’s America’s Cup Day looks to inspire next generation of sailors

With the sailing race scheduled to take place in Auckland next month, children had the chance to design and build their own boats while also learning about the history and geography of the event.

Pupils also found out about the different roles involved in sailing.

Year 3 pupil Lenia Agha said: ‘We’ve been learning about different types of boats and the different jobs the sailors have to do. I’d like to be a helm because I talk a lot and I like to make decisions.’

Year 5 pupil Chase Phipps added: ‘The jib trimmer is the only person who gets to hold a rope so I think I’d like to do that job.’

The event was organised by Year 3 teacher Euan Bradshaw who wanted to share his passion for sailing with the children.

Euan said: ‘I’m so impressed by how the children and parents embraced the event by dressing up, getting involved in boat building and design, and learning the history of the America’s Cup as part of our local community. I feel it was a really positive day for everyone involved both at home and in school.’

The design and building of the boats helped to develop pupils’ STEM learning (science, technology, engineering, maths) with a focus on Portsmouth’s own UK Team INEOS.

With a mix of children learning both in school and at home, a Zoom session was arranged for all the children to share their boat designs and what they had learned.

SEE ALSO: Portsmouth teachers and pupils back improvements in school remote learning in lockdown

Headteacher Ian Baker said: ‘The children are rightly proud of the Portsmouth-based entry in the America's Cup. In using it for inspiration both for school and home learning during the pandemic, it has enabled many of them to learn about the science and design involved in creating such a cutting edge boat and many of the children have told us they would aspire to be part of a future America's Cup entry when they are older.’

Led by Ben Ainslie the team are currently competing in the Prada Cup final to qualify for the race. The qualifying event was suspended for 72 hours after Auckland entered a Level 3 lockdown after a Covid outbreak.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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