On Sunday 4th July, 30 young people from five of Plymouth’s primary schools donned wet suits and set off on a courageous one mile journey; the blue mile. They were supported and cheered on by their parents, Mount Batten Centre, Plymouth City Council Lifelong Learning team and Playing for Success Staff.

Pupils from Pennycross Primary, Mayflower Community School, Marlborough Primary, Glen Park and Lipson Vale Primary have been training for the event throughout the past two months.

Plymouth City Council’s Playing for Success Centre, Brainwaves, provided training sessions for 45 young people at The Mount Batten Outdoor Centre throughout May and June this year as an additional to their regular Playing for Success programme. Most of them had never been in kayak prior to this programme and several had not ventured into the sea. Alongside of the Kayaking tuition, the youngsters also topped up their numeracy skills, learning maths and science through the use of tide-tables, numbers games and experiments with ‘uplift’ and model boats.

The aim of the project, which was supported through PfS, Allsortz and Sport Relief funding, was to offer Plymouth Youngsters an opportunity to have fun together exploring their local seaside, raising their confidence and creating some positive memories through outdoor adventure and participation in the Blue Mile Event. Playing for Success offers regular programmes of learning outside of the classroom and aims to motivate pupils through the exploration of their environment using sports and activities as a starting point for engagement in lifelong learning.

All of the pupils have been presented with Blue Mile bags, T shirts and Certificates at celebration assemblies in their own schools.

Quotes
“At PfS we believe that introducing young people to water sports at an early point in their lives can lead them to lifelong habits and hobbies which are both healthy and exciting. We are absolutely delighted to have been able to offer these young people, the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious local event “Alison Lowman (PfS Plymouth Manager)

“We have seen these children growing in confidence throughout the Playing for Success , Blue Mile programme and this has had a really positive effect upon their work and motivation in the classroom” Di Harding (Deputy Head teacher from Pennycross Primary School)

“Before the Blue Mile I was scared to go in the sea but now I can’t wait to do it again. I want to go even further. My mum will be really proud of me.” Paige Brown, Marlborough Primary School Pupil.

Tags: Brainwaves, Community, Environment, PfS, Sport, The BLUE Mile