Teachers’ Open Morning at Whitstable Lifeboat Station

Wednesday 31 January 2018

Whitstable Lifeboat Station has a long tradition of welcoming school parties as part of the RNLI's sea safety initiatives and to enable children to view the lifeboat and its associated equipment, and to meet members of the crew and hear about their work.

Whitstable Lifeboat Visits Officer David Hayward, right and Crewmember Adrian Woolrich-Burt show the Kent College Reception Class with Teacher Ruth McSweeney around the lifeboat station. Picture: RNLI Whitstable

In order to expand the programme of school visits, the station will be holding an open morning for head teachers or their staff on Sunday, 25^th February.

David Hayward, Visits Officer at Whitstable Lifeboat Station said, “We are inviting head teachers or their staff to come along to the station and find out what we have to offer their school. The morning will include a tour of the station, the opportunity to meet members of the crew and inspect the lifeboat, and discuss with us an education programme and the requirements of their school”.

“There will also be the opportunity to look at our free educational resources and take samples back to school and, conditions permitting, watch the crew launch and recover the lifeboat on exercise”.

“We have a team of dedicated volunteers who can show pupils the boat, tell them about the crew and about some of the life-saving rescues since the station opened in 1963. They will also learn about how to stay safe on or by the sea. Visits can be tailored to curriculum requirements, no matter what the age of pupils and we can also arrange for talks to be given at a school”.

“In an average year we welcome around 1600 pupils from perhaps 40 schools and other youth organisations from around Kent and the London area, and for some children it is their first visit to the seaside. By holding educational visits, we hope that we have increased awareness of sea safety issues amongst children and given them an insight into the work of the RNLI”.

“The open morning will commence at 10.30. For those wishing to attend please contact me on [email protected]. Please also e-mail me if you are unable to attend this session but would anyway like to arrange for your school to come to Whitstable Lifeboat Station”.

For further information about Whitstable Lifeboat Station go to: www.whitstablelifeboat.org.uk

Ollie, five, dressed as a lifeboat crewmember when he visited Whitstable Lifeboat Station with the Reception Class from Kent College. Picture: RNLI Whitstable.

Crewmember Adrian Woolrich-Burt talks to Ellie and Kitt, both five when they visited Whitstable Lifeboat Station with the Reception Class from Kent College. Picture: RNLI Whitstable.

Whitstable Lifeboat Visits Officers David Hayward and Sue Evans. Picture: RNLI Whitstable.

Lewisco, the Whitstable Atlantic 85 Lifeboat. Picture: RNLI Whitstable

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

Teachers’ Open Morning at Whitstable Lifeboat Station

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