Holbrook Primary School has got together with Royal Harwich Yachting Club (RHYC).

RHYC has a long history of training young people to sail and offering a comprehensive racing programme to suit all age groups and abilities.

A raising of school and club flags at the RHYC on Wednesday, April 18 with staff and six pupils being present, signalled the start of the programme.

The partnership runs under the auspices of the “On Board” (OB) programme which was initiated 10 years ago by sailing’s governing body, the Royal Yachting association (RYA), and has since introduced half a million youngsters into the sport.

Annie Hookway, head teacher of Holbrook Primary who was a prime mover in forging this partnership, said: “Sailing is a wonderful sport for young people and with such a great river on our doorstep and a club willing to partner us, it’s a marvellous opportunity for our pupils.

“A number of our students have already enjoyed watersport activities through the school-based sessions supported by the Suffolk Schools Watersports Association.

“These summer sessions at Alton Water will continue to lay the foundations for learning to sail but can now be extended through this partnership with RHYC to higher levels of RYA training, including race training.

“I see this as a great opportunity to develop a lifelong interest that will extend beyond our pupils’ primary years and there is interest from a good many others