Plain-sailing for teacher
Are you dreaming about sailing but you don’t have a boat? You can obviously buy one or… build it!
Michael Whitmarsh, a technology teacher at the prestigious Bolton School, guided his pupils to build a 40ft yacht. It was just a part of a 7-year classroom project. Mr Whitmarsh wanted his students not only to learn about sailing but also to to have a chance to have a real-life tests.
Since year 2000 aboout 1,000 pupils were using wood and metal work, computer design and electronic skills to craft the vessel.
“We wanted to give the kids the opportunity to sail but couldn’t justify buying a yacht. Everything we did fitted into the curriculum.” - the teacher said.
Mr Whitmarsh, who has been at the school for 27 years, has previously challenged his students to build canoes, go-karts and a hovercraft.
The Lake District is a place where the vessel will be moored. It wil be used for adventure trips for 9-pupil groups.
Mr Whitmarsh, who will retire at Cristmas when the boat is completed, has been nominated as a teacher of the year.
