Project Scaramouche

[SimonFa]

And the Scaramouche story shows what can be done if one of those teachers pulls out a finger rather than whinging.
FFS, some people just refuse to be happy sometimes.

As long as the get support from the Head and Governors. My mate who went in to teaching late, following an 8 year stint in the Navy, mobile industry, consulting where he got an OU MBA, wasn't allowed to take his inner city 6th Form Econonmics and Business Studies up the easiest Snowden trail. He had all the support he needed, including some mountain leaders. Some of those kids hadn't been out of the inner city.

His neighbour in Wales teaches at a private school and they are always doing stuff like that.

It really is character building and this shows that the State sector does not need to be risk averse.

Gongs all round in the New Year Honours List.

 

[Roger52]

Great project and let's hope it inspires others. More media coverage would clearly help to get the message across that if there is a will a way can be found.

 

[armchairsailor]

Hope they can enter the 3 Peaks - that would be something.

 

[sniffyjenkins]

This is so wonderful and important! Top work everyone.

Will you be getting any girls to go along in the future?

 

[DJE]

This is so wonderful and important! Top work everyone.

Will you be getting any girls to go along in the future?

They have a girls team but are not allowed a mixed team of teenagers sharing a small living space!

 

[Giblets]

They have a girls team but are not allowed a mixed team of teenagers sharing a small living space!

I donated my Leisure 17 to the school which I understand they plan to use for girls entry level sailing.

 

[newtothis]

They have a girls team but are not allowed a mixed team of teenagers sharing a small living space!

whoever came up with that rule has not spent anytime in the confines of a racing yacht bouncing across the celtic sea to fastnet. the opportunities for anything untoward happening are remote.

 

[Blue Sunray]

whoever came up with that rule has not spent anytime in the confines of a racing yacht bouncing across the celtic sea to fastnet.

I think that you are on a pretty safe bet there.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

And setting an example of what you CAN do with your life. That's for pupils and future teachers. Small private investment, massive public return. What's not to love.

And Jolie Brise has been doing similar character building for a "public" school for years; why not Scaramouche for a "state" school? Magnificent endeavour! Note school is an Academy. Probably less inhibited and restricted than a Council run school would be.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

whoever came up with that rule has not spent anytime in the confines of a racing yacht bouncing across the celtic sea to fastnet. the opportunities for anything untoward happening are remote.

It's just about privacy. She is a very open boat down below.

We have a new female skipper joining us, so perhaps it will be an all girls team for Fastnet 2019!

Pete

 

[TallBuoy]

I have also been heavily involved with this project for the past two years, both as a skipper/instructor and providing extensive voluntary support ashore. I started with a keen interest on how to develop sailing within secondary education, and learned a lot from this one.

There are many reasons why this project has been so successful but primarily its down to the dedication of one of the teachers who has full support of his school Principal. The students have presented their story to lots of organisations, clubs and companies in order to attract funding and other services. None of the money comes from the school's budgets, other than a separate pot for outdoor education.

We presented to the full RYA Council meeting in March, and Robin K-J came along to present 5 day skipper certificates.

Four of the students have been invited to participate in the Cowes Etchells development programme along with the British Keelboat Academy.

The next step is for Greig City Academy to plan where to go from now on. The senior crew are now into their final A-level year so will have to move on. However there are already others sailing on Scaramouche and 13/14-year olds learning to sail in dinghies as a starting point.

The whole project proves that anything can be done despite opponents, authorities, regulations, difficult backgrounds, lack of funds. Can it be replicated elsewhere? No, the yacht, the teacher, and being first are totally unique.

Can we take the lessons learned, create more opportunities, and inspire others? I certainly hope so!

 

[AIDY]

Nice to see this on the Beeb webpage this morning.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/education-41528242/making-waves-the-urban-schoolboy-sailors

 

[Sybarite]

Did the students have designated roles (eg helm) or were tasks rotated?

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Did the students have designated roles (eg helm) or were tasks rotated?

Yes, they had their specific roles but we made sure they all had time on the wheel!

Pete

 

[TBolt]

As someone who was at the school that now sails Jolie Brise and was part of the first group of pupils to start the sailing club I can confirm that it all came about by the enthusiasm and dedication of one teacher.
Over the years there have been many others involved but the first steps and initial guidance were down to one individual.
I have always believed that it could have been duplicated at any other school, sate or otherwise and am truly delighted to see that it has.
I hope that others are encouraged to pick up the baton at other schools, I'm sure it isn't easy but hugely worthwhile to the students that get the chance.

 

[AIDY]

Nice to see these guys out racing in cowes week, have an entry on a couple of days...

Am I right in saying big nick of the old parish is skipper. Well done to him.