Homepage2025-02-25T15:25:19+00:00

Enabling, motivating and supporting young people to reach their full potential through maritime training and qualifications.

Enabling inner city young people to achieve their full potential.

Explore our programme aims

Improve employment prospects through practical qualifications.

Qualification options

Instilling strong values to enable young people to be successful adults.

Meet the team

Develop character traits to have a positive impact on life choices.

Schools’ feedback

Support, mentorship & lasting opportunity

The Sail Training Trust provides maritime training, qualifications and mentoring for young people who face social, economic or educational challenges that limit their opportunities. We are able to offer broad and varied support for young people in all aspects of personal and academic development, both on and off the water.

“

The programme is an amazing opportunity for students to learn life skills through new and fun activities. The instructors are great with the young people and can open the students minds with great, unique activities.”

Scott Miller, Oaklands Catholic School and Sixth Form College

All of the students who turn up to the sailing have benefited immeasurably from the programme. PSTT provides them with a safe space and adults they trust, as well as new social skills, friends and knowledge”

Maddie Evans, Bay House School

The sailing programme really helped me to gain confidence and work towards my career in the Navy. I can now control my feelings of frustration much better and have made new friends at college.

Alfie, PSTT student

The transformation in this young man was unbelievable, he loved sailing and you could see his confidence grow. He would speak when commanding the boat and his body language shifted, he was confident and upright and would make eye contact.

Teacher testimonial

Students in our school attend after school revision sessions. The average attendance of their year group was 35% for after school revision, the group who attend PSTT was 89%.

Teacher testimonial

As a group, [our PSTT students] got some of the best results in the school and the best SEN results in Portsmouth. They achieved the highest SEN results in our academy trust from all the TKAT schools in the country.

Teacher testimonial

Explore the programme

Our comprehensive programme spans both water-based and land-based training, cultivating a robust foundation of confidence, teamwork, and leadership capabilities. Moreover, participants acquire valuable RYA qualifications that not only enrich their personal development but also propel them towards successful careers.

Career pathways

Pupils can achieve a wide range of globally recognised RYA qualifications that can shape their future career. From becoming a watersports or sailing instructor, to gaining a place in the Navy or becoming professional sailor – their RYA qualifications open up a path of opportunity for their future.

Support STT

The STT programme is only made possible thanks to kind donations from grant funders and individuals. We need to raise £157,014.00 annually to fund the programme for one year. Donate today and help us raise aspirations for young people.

End-of-year teacher surveys found that of our 2023 intake of pupils…

89%

Have an increased knowledge of opportunities available to them in the maritime sector.

97%

Have increased confidence.

90%

Have increased resilience.

86%

Have developed good communication skills.

Hosting Our First STT Careers Day

On March 6th we were delighted to welcome over 40 young people from 5 schools across Portsmouth to the first Sail Training Trust (STT) Careers Day, hosted by the Andrew Simpson Centre Portsmouth in partnership with Maritime UK Solent.

2022-23 academic review

Students have had a wide range of experiences including: RYA Keelboat Sailing, RYA Powerboating, RYA First Aid, ASY Yachting sessions, Paddlesport sessions,  climbing, archery and team building sessions. Throughout the 2022-23 academic year, over 300 RYA certificates have been awarded to the young people. Young people have also had the chance to go on employer visits to Trafalgar Wharf, to go to the Seawork Maritime Industry Show and Careers Fair and harbour tours with SERCO.

Your questions answered

What is the Sail Training Trust?2026-08-12T12:32:31+01:00

The Sail Training Trust, also known as STT, is a not-for-profit organisation which provides maritime training, qualifications and mentoring to young people, helping to raise their aspirations, improve their life skills and create career opportunities.

STT began life as the Portsmouth Sail Training Trust in 2013, supporting young people in the Portsmouth region.  Joining forces with the Andrew Simpson Foundation has enabled us to extend our reach nationwide, utilising their centres to deliver our programmes to more young people. We are currently now delivering our programmes in locations such as Portland, Plymouth and Reading.

Who can join a STT programme?2025-02-24T09:33:11+00:00

We have built strong relationships with schools and community groups, to provide opportunities for young people who will benefit the most from this programme. Young people who are deemed most at need, are nominated by their teachers or community group leaders to participate in the programme

How much does it cost?2023-09-13T10:45:21+01:00

We are a not-for-profit organisation and rely on the generous support of our funders to make the programme fully subsidised with no cost to the families, schools and individuals enrolled in the programme.

What sort of qualifications can I gain?2023-09-13T10:45:55+01:00

As well as providing valuable life skills, the programme also provides Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training both on and off the water. This ranges from sailing qualifications in dinghies, keelboats and yachts, powerboating qualifications, first aid and diesel engine maintenance and much more.

Does it replace traditional school or college?2023-09-13T10:46:34+01:00

No. PSTT is an enrichment programme for young people during school hours (usually half-day sessions each week) which has proven benefits for increased engagement and focus for the students once they are back in the classroom.

How old do you have to be?2023-09-13T10:49:02+01:00

We typically work with school years 7 to 11, which includes young people aged 11 up to 16. In some circumstances we are able to accept primary school or college aged young people, so please get in touch to talk to us about your individual situation.

Do I need any existing skills in sailing or swimming?2023-09-13T10:49:50+01:00

No, not at all. We teach the absolute basics of all the skills on the programme and due to safety equipment and clothing we provide, you don’t even need to be able to swim.

Do you support young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)2023-09-13T10:55:13+01:00

Yes, many of the young people on our programme have special educational needs or disabilities, and we work closely with teachers and SENCO’s to provide opportunities and bespoke support for any young person who would benefit from our programme.

Who do I speak to if I have questions or want to join the programme?2025-02-24T09:34:33+00:00

You can speak to any of our team who would be happy to answer any questions and talk you through the programme and how to sign up. Please give us a call on 02390 663873 during standard working hours or email us on hello@sailtrainingtrust.org.

If you have any other questions, please speak to one of our team members on 02390 663873 or send us a message online.

The Sail Training Trust Head Office is based at the Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre, Portsmouth in the stunning natural harbour of Langstone. We also have a base in the Naval Dockyard at the heart of Portsmouth Harbour and deliver courses from ASF centres nationwide.

Get in touch

Sail Training Trust
c/o ASC Portsmouth
Eastern Road
Portsmouth
PO3 5LY

02392 663873
hello@sailtrainingtrust.org

Useful links

Copyright © Portsmouth Sail Training Trust 2026 | Registered Charity Number 1153870 | Terms & Policies

Go to Top