News

On Friday, 20th September, Year 7 students went on a cruise aboard the Paddle Steamer Waverley from Southampton Dock to Portsmouth as part of their STEAM project. The Waverley is the world's last seagoing paddle steamer, and the students have been learning about how her triple-expansion steam engines operate, as well as how they recycle the fresh water needed for the boilers using a condenser.

The students enjoyed their two-hour cruise between the two ports, taking in the sights of Southampton Water and the Solent. They were also treated to a wheelhouse tour, where they met the Master of the Waverley and learned how the ship is steered and navigated using both the Waverley's original 1947 ship’s compass and the latest computerised navigation systems. We were fortunate to have both clear weather and calm seas! The students will now continue with their STEAM project, having gained a much broader understanding of how a ship is operated.