Burton SC's SEN Sailing Scheme Continues to Shine

Bladon House special school the latest to make the most of bespoke sessions

Youngsters from Bladon House special needs school in Newton Solney are the latest to benefit from learning to sail at Burton Sailing Club.

Bladon House specialises in autism, speech and language disorders, moderate to severe learning difficulties and associated behavioral difficulties. 

And backed by £500 of Sports Across Staffordshire Sportivate funding, Bladon House youngsters aged 10-15 have enjoyed sailing and powerboating sessions on Foremark Reservoir, helping to develop their communication skills and increase confidence and independence. 

Each child has taken part once a week for six weeks.Over the past two years Burton SC has successfully developed a bespoke scheme for working with children with special educational needs, providing a range of activities where they can safely experience sensory and emotional stimulation and have fun. 

The scheme is run in Burton SC’s capacity as a recognised RYA Training Centre, meaning it conforms to the highest standards of safety and tuition, an RYA OnBoard centre providing low cost sailing opportunities for young people aged 8-18 and an RYA Sailability site delivering sailing for people with disabilities. 

The scheme has also been supported by Sport England and the South Derbyshire Sports Partnership.

Keith Pallett, Burton SC Training Principal, explains: “These children have very clearly defined attention spans and individual needs. For example, on shore they are largely non-communicative, disruptive and demand a high level of management but once on the water they become visibly relaxed and communicative.

“Each day’s plan depends very much on how the children are coping that day. They also have a high support dependency from school carers who need to be in the location to assist with difficult situations, but the successes have been amazing. 

“All the children took to the water in both dinghies and powerboats, attendance was 100%, and the club’s volunteers developed both their confidence and skills in delivering these sessions. 

"The entire group of carers, instructors, volunteers and children formed an incredible bond where the enduring attitude is what we can and are doing, not what we plan to do.”

Burton’s first point of contact with a school comes when Keith visits the children in school time and spends time with them in their own environment. This gives them the start of familiar continuity, making them feel safe and secure, the aim being to develop trusting relationships. These in-school sessions include talks about sailing, boats, pictures of the sea and even just playing with rope. 

Teaching and caring staff can consider all aspects of the programme and discuss issues and aspirations too.

As Keith continues, Burton has also had a canine secret weapon in ensuring all the sailors enjoy a meaningful, positive experience once they get to the sailing club.

“Burton SC is very fortunate to have a fantastic group of volunteer supporters, each bringing something special. One volunteer owns a dog called Jack and these children, especially the partially sighted ones, found great comfort in stroking Jack. 

“Over the weeks the bonds grew, as did everyone’s confidence. This culminated in every child steering a powerboat, helming or crewing a dinghy or simply discovering how to overcome their fears. 

“These children all need someone to actually take the risk and deliver such complex sessions and these sessions have turned into something very special for the adults and the children.”

Burton’s scheme started with Pingle School in Swadlincote last summer, who have also returned to sail at Burton SC this year. To find out Burton SC could help you learn to sail visit www.burtonsailingclub.co.uk