HUNDREDS of students swapped their classrooms for the sea as part of a unique education initiative in the Solent.

Youngsters aged from 10 to 18 bounded onboard a specially-chartered vessel taking them across Southampton water towards the Isle of Wight as a way of inspiring their creativity.

The event, titled 'Imagine the Future', was conceived after Southampton Education Forum wanted to increase the engagement and interest of young people in the city.

Jill Orton, PA to the principal at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, said their pupils were delighted to be given the chance to take part.

 


 

She said: "They are doing an interview workshop and talking about fears and transitioning from year six to year seven and from years 10 and 11 to 12.

"It's going well and they are settling in a bit and it'll take a bit of getting used to, but they are a really good bunch of students.

"It's a fantastic day for it as well."

In total 70 schools from the area sent pupils to board the Red Funnel ferry to talk about their hopes for the future on subjects including health, leadership of education, and engendering pride in the city.

 


 

Those taking part were asked to list things in Southampton that inspire pride, as well as things that they would like to improve.

One of the aims of the event is to broaden the minds of the youngsters and help them make the city a more vibrant and attractive place to live in future.

Shirley Anderson, director of HR at Red Funnel, said: "We think this is just a fantastic opportunity to give the young people of this city."