Everything you need to know

Frequently asked questions for teachers

Is UKSA right for our school?

Come and try it for yourself. Every month we offer teachers the chance to come and try our watersports and accommodation with our compliments. We even cover the cost of your ferry crossing. We welcome visits from teachers, youth leaders and school governors – it gives you the chance to try the facilities and see first-hand all the benefits of choosing UKSA.

Is financial assistance available?

Absolutely. UKSA is a registered charity, which means we may be able to help with the costs of your trip. To find out more, email fundraising@uksa.org.

What insurance cover does UKSA have?

While at UKSA all visitors are covered by our standard £10 million public liability insurance. Please email schools@uksa.org for a copy of the insurance details.

Do students from different schools mix?

There is not a great deal of opportunity for schools to mix whilst at UKSA. There will be a maximum of four schools staying at any one time and each school has their own programme of activities throughout the day and evening. There may be opportunities for students to make new friends at the end of the day’s activities and prior to the evening entertainment programme but this time is very limited.

How secure is UKSA?

Perimeter fencing surrounds the academy’s 3.5-acre site and CCTV maintains the highest safety standards at all times. Each school has sole occupancy of an accommodation block with its own key code to gain access.

What is the fire procedure at UKSA?

On arrival, each school group is met by their lead instructor and given a thorough fire and safety briefing where all emergency exits, meeting points and procedures for evacuating the buildings are explained.

What first aid cover does UKSA have?

All our watersports and evening entertainment instructors are fully qualified first aiders. In addition, we also have fully qualified first aid staff on site at all times.

What is the food like?

All our food is freshly cooked on site with an emphasis on healthy eating in line with government recommendations. There are always fresh vegetables and fruit along with a salad bar and vegetarian option. Meals are served in a communal dining room. We can also cater for students with special religious or dietary needs providing we are informed about these beforehand.

Can UKSA cater for students with disabilities and special needs?

Yes, we have fully adapted accommodation and specially trained members of staff.

Do students require special clothing?

We provide wetsuits, safety helmets and buoyancy aids for all water activities. We issue you with a full kit list before your visit but students will need to bring swimwear as well as shorts and t-shirts or rash vests to go underneath their wetsuits. Students also need to bring a spare pair of wet shoes or trainers they don’t mind getting wet. We recommend that all clothes are labelled.

Do students need to bring pocket money?

There is a small shop on site where students can buy limited refreshments, pencils, and souvenirs. All students’ needs are catered for on site and we would recommend they only bring a small amount of pocket money.

Can UKSA help to launch and promote the visit?

You can download sample letters to parents, risk assessments and posters from our website. We will also provide a tailored PowerPoint presentation for you to promote the trip at a parents’ evening.