UKSA Awards celebrate the power of maritime education

March 25, 2011 - PRLog -- Inspirational individuals and schools, all of whom have contributed to or are benefiting from the outcomes of outdoor learning, were honoured by the maritime charity UKSA at the Celebrating Achievement Awards.

Four awards were presented by HRH The Princess Royal, who is Patron of UKSA. The leading youth maritime charity works to change the lives of young people through adventurous maritime education, practical training and personal development.

The Vision and Achievement Award went to Heritage House School to recognise the outstanding impact residential visits and on the water activities have had on students from the Chesham School over the past two years.

Buckinghamshire teacher Jeremy Graham, who is Head of Year 7 at Dr Challoner’s School in Amersham, received an Exceptional Achievement Award to mark the results of his 10 year visionary work with UKSA, which has benefited more than 1,000 pupils to date.

Exeter yachtsman Josh Stickland (23) won the Outstanding Progress Award for his approach to learning, teaching and progression. Josh now works as a Yachtmaster on a luxury motor yacht.

And the Inspirational Partnership Award was awarded to the Harris Federation which operates nine Harris Academies across South London.  Since 2005, more than 900 inner city students have spent time at UKSA, giving them the chance to learn unexpected skills, improve their educational outcomes and expand their life goals and aspirations.

HRH The Princess Royal said: “These awards recognise achievement and commitment and I congratulate everyone involved in today’s ceremony.”

UKSA CEO Jon Ely said: “We work to help young people change their lives by giving them the opportunity to see their own potential, broaden their horizons and achieve outcomes that last for life.

“All of our winners are exceptional examples of how individuals and organisations are prepared to engage and work with UKSA to deliver real, life changing experiences and lasting outcomes for all.  The chance to celebrate those achievements is an opportunity for us to emphasis the vital role of informal and vocational training for every young person today. ”

The UKSA Celebrating Achievement Awards took place before an invited audience of 120 VIPs, partners and supporters at the offices of Reed Smith LLP in London’s Broadgate Tower on March 24.

UKSA recently featured in Jamie Oliver’s new TV series, Jamie’s Dream School (Channel 4, Wednesdays, 9pm). The programme saw Dame Ellen MacArthur set sail from UKSA with four 18 years olds for a four day ocean adventure to build their team and communications skills.  

The Vision and Achievement Award – Heritage House School

Since 2009, Heritage House School has received assisted funding to bring groups of young people under the age of 18 with severe learning and physical disabilities to UKSA.

Residential visits and on-the-water activities offer positive opportunities and challenges never experienced before by their students. For many of the young people it is the first time they’ve been away from home and looked after themselves. Others face the anxiety of being in a new place and having to communicate with new people.  

But enthusiasm overcomes nerves and the outcomes are considerable. The students are empowered to not only enjoy the activities, but also develop confidence in themselves through the new skills and independence they gain.

“Working with UKSA to enable our students with learning difficulties to access all that it has to offer has been inspirational,” said Julie Golding-Clarke, Assistant Head Teacher of Heritage House School.

The Exceptional Achievement Award – Jeremy Graham

For 10 years, Jeremy Graham has organised exciting residential trips to UKSA for more than 1,000 Dr Challoner’s Grammar School students. Driven by his own passion and enthusiasm for the advancement of young people, Jeremy ensures that each student has the opportunity to maximise their own personal growth.

Whether it’s working towards a future career in maritime, improving exam results, developing life skills or learning to sail, Jeremy supports every individual student and works with them to ensure their progression and development.

The Outstanding Progress Award – Josh Stickland

Josh came to UKSA through The Prince’s Trust ‘Get into Maritime’ programme in 2008. Having undertaken numerous unskilled jobs from the age of 15 to help support his family, Get into Maritime gave Josh the opportunity to gain the vocational skills, qualifications and confidence needed to find employment.

After gaining his watersports instructor qualifications at UKSA, Josh spent both two years as an instructor on the charity’s waterfront training campus in Cowes, Isle of Wight, becoming a role model to other young people for his positive attitude and enthusiasm.

Josh progressed quickly, receiving a bursary to complete his Commercial Yachtmaster and is now employed as a Deckhand on the 60m luxury long range motor yacht Arkley which is available for charter out of Monaco.

The Inspirational Partnership Award – Harris Federation

The South London based Harris Academies have been engaged with UKSA since 2005 when selected students took part in the Gipsy Moth IV global circumnavigation. Following this, young people aged 11 to 18 from all nine Harris Academies have regularly spent time at UKSA on financially supported residential trips.

“The main outcomes have been with the students. Just watching them leave London, some of them having never seen the sea before and coming to UKSA to try new experiences. I get the feedback, photos and letters and all show how much it changes their lives and expands their horizons,” said Martin Harris, Group Commercial Director of CarpetRight, and the Harris Federation.

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For further information: Susann Jerry, susann.jerry@uksa.org, tel 07725 091814

http://www.uksa.org

About UKSA

Charity USKA is based in Cowes, Isle of Wight. It was founded nearly 25 years ago by the retail entrepreneur Noel Lister of MFI fame, who was inspired by the idea that adventurous maritime activity, education and personal development would help young people to change their lives. As a charity, UKSA’s work is focused in four areas:

Schools and Groups - helping children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to develop key personal and social skills through on-the-water activities.

Careers Training - enabling young people to embark on training which leads to recognised qualifications and rewarding employment.

Disability - providing opportunities for people with disabilities to enable them to develop skills and confidence through yachting and watersports.

Sporting Performance - giving young people the chance to develop confidence, self belief, team skills and expertise through the intense challenge of yacht racing.

In 2010, 7,222 individuals benefited from UKSA’s charitable activities, 17.5% of whom were financially assisted.

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As a youth maritime charity, UKSA uses maritime education and on-the-water activities to inspire individuals and transform lives. Personal development, improved self esteem, broadened horizons and fulfilling maritime careers are just some of the outcomes.