Woodlands School children embark on global voyage in University's ship simulator

Three children from the school visited the University earlier this month to experience its state-of-the-art ship simulator – and within two hours they’d helmed a speed boat and cargo ship in Plymouth Sound, Sydney Harbour and New York. Woodlands School provides specialist education for young people from across the South West who have physical and sensory difficulties between the ages of two and 19 years. A specially adapted platform was created in the simulator to make the facility wheelchair accessible for the students. Andy Copson, a teacher from Woodlands School, said: “Our students learn best from stimulating experiences, which they certainly received at the University. Within the space of our visit, they had driven a fast work-boat and a giant cargo ship in Plymouth Sound, Sydney Harbour and around New York. “They all thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being on the bridge of a ship and over the course on the visit really got to grips with the controls of the simulator. Our thanks go to everyone at Plymouth University for helping make our visit possible.