Students Shine at Putsborough Beach Water Safety Day

Fourteen pupils from the academy recently took part in an inspiring and highly practical Water Safety Day at Putsborough Beach, working alongside coastal expert Nick Thorn to develop essential life-saving knowledge and confidence in the water.

Throughout the day, students were introduced to a range of vital skills, including:

• Water safety awareness – understanding how to assess conditions, identify risks, and stay safe in open water.
• Emergency first aid – learning how to respond calmly and effectively in urgent situations.
• Beach flag guidance – recognising and interpreting beach safety flags to make informed decisions before entering the sea.

The group represented the academy with real maturity, enthusiasm, and teamwork. Their positive attitude was noted throughout the sessions, and they embraced every challenge with energy and curiosity.

We were also fortunate to enjoy excellent weather, which made the experience not only productive but genuinely enjoyable. With calm seas, warm sunshine, and ideal learning conditions, the pupils were able to fully immerse themselves in each activity and make the most of the opportunity.

Days like this play a crucial role in helping young people build confidence, resilience, and awareness around the coast—skills that are especially important in our local community. We are incredibly proud of how well our students engaged with the programme and grateful to Nick Thorn for delivering such an impactful and memorable experience.