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Secondary School Programmes at SWAC

Inspiring Young People Through Water-Based Learning

Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC) provides high-quality, curriculum-linked and enrichment watersports programmes for secondary and senior schools across Southampton, Hampshire and the wider region.

Located directly on the waters of Southampton, SWAC offers pupils aged 11–18 (school years 7-13) the opportunity to develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, and leadership through professionally delivered water-based activities. Our programmes support PE, PSHE, outdoor education, careers awareness, and enrichment objectives, while also opening pathways into recognised national qualifications.

All activities are delivered by fully qualified instructors, operating within robust safety management systems and nationally recognised governing-body frameworks.

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Why Bring Your Students to SWAC?

Water-based education delivers outcomes that are difficult to achieve in the classroom alone. At SWAC, students are challenged in a controlled, supportive, and inspiring environment, where learning is active, practical, and memorable.

Our secondary school programmes help students to:

  • Build confidence and independence

  • Develop teamwork, communication, and leadership skills

  • Improve physical literacy and wellbeing

  • Experience positive risk-taking in a managed environment

  • Engage with real-world maritime skills and careers

  • Gain nationally recognised qualifications where appropriate

For many young people, SWAC provides their first meaningful connection with the water, helping to raise aspirations and broaden horizons.

Activities for Secondary Schools

Programmes can be tailored to suit single classes, year groups, SEND cohorts, alternative provision, or enrichment groups.

Available activities include:

Sailing

Students learn boat handling, teamwork, and decision-making through hands-on dinghy sailing. Sessions can be introductory or progressive and may lead into RYA youth sailing pathways.

Kayaking & Canoeing

Ideal for confidence building and group development. Sessions focus on control, coordination, and cooperation, with clear progression for returning groups.

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)

Highly engaging and accessible, SUP develops balance, core strength, and water confidence while being inclusive for a wide range of abilities.

Powerboating & Maritime Skills

Selected programmes can introduce powerboat handling, navigation awareness, and marine safety, supporting careers and vocational learning.

Water Safety & Personal Survival

Focused sessions on risk awareness, cold water shock, personal flotation, and decision-making around water, particularly valuable for PSHE and life-skills education.

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Curriculum, Enrichment & Alternative Provision

SWAC works closely with schools to align programmes with educational outcomes, including:

  • PE curriculum delivery

  • PE GCSE (sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking)

  • PSHE and wellbeing programmes

  • Enrichment and reward days

  • Transition programmes (Year 6 to 7 /& Year 11 to post GCSE)

  • Alternative provision and re-engagement

  • Careers awareness and vocational pathways

Sessions can be delivered as single days, multi-day blocks, or regular weekly programmes, depending on school needs.

Family Powerboating

Qualifications & Progression Opportunities

Where appropriate, students may work towards nationally recognised awards, helping to motivate engagement and support progression into further education or employment.

These may include:

  • RYA youth certificates (dinghy sailing keel boating, multihull, windsurfing and power boating)

  • PaddlesUK sawards (SUP, kayak and canoe)

  • National Governing Body Leadership and Instructor Qualifications, strengthening CVs and opening the doors to summer and future employment)

  • Water safety and survival certifications

SWAC also supports longer-term engagement, guiding interested students towards after school clubs, instructor training, volunteering, and maritime career pathways.

Safety, Compliance & Reassurance

We understand that safety, safeguarding, and professionalism are paramount for schools.

At SWAC:

  • Our instructors are fully qualified, experienced, and DBS-checked

  • Activities operate under robust risk assessments and operating procedures

  • Equipment is modern, well-maintained, and appropriate for young people

  • Sessions are delivered within recognised national governing body frameworks

  • We work proactively with schools on consent, medical needs, SEND support, and safeguarding

Schools can be confident that their students are learning in a safe, structured, and well-managed environment.

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Access, Inclusion & Local Impact

SWAC is committed to making watersports accessible to all young people, regardless of background or prior experience. We actively work with:

  • Local authority schools

  • SEND and alternative provision

  • Schools with limited access to outdoor education

  • Community and youth-engagement programmes

Our aim is simple: Every secondary school pupil in Southampton should have the opportunity to experience learning on the water.

Plan a Visit or Discuss a Programme

We welcome conversations with:

  • Heads of PE

  • Heads of Year

  • Enrichment and curriculum leads

  • SENCOs

  • Careers and vocational coordinators

Programmes can be bespoke-designed to meet your school’s objectives, timetable, and student needs.

Contact SWAC to discuss how we can support your students through water-based learning.