Our Locations2026-08-12T12:28:56+01:00

The STT locations provide meaningful and lasting support to young people in their local community.

Our Locations

The Sail Training Trust is dedicated to providing individuals with unique opportunities to develop confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills through sailing.

The Sail Training Trust is committed to delivering exceptional support and opportunities for personal development through sail training. Operating across key locations in the UK, our work is anchored in communities where we can make a meaningful impact. Each of our operational bases has been carefully selected to maximize accessibility and outreach, ensuring that our programmes reach those who will benefit most.

Portsmouth

Head Office and Founding Base

Portsmouth, a historic maritime city, serves as the heart of our operations. As our founding base, it is home to our head office and provides a strong foundation for our mission. With its rich naval heritage and world-class sailing facilities, Portsmouth offers an inspiring environment for participants to develop essential life skills through sail training.

Portland

Home of the 2012 Olympics

Situated on the stunning Jurassic Coast, Portland is renowned for its exceptional sailing conditions. As a former Olympic sailing venue, it provides a dynamic and challenging environment that enhances our training programmes. The location allows us to engage with young people and communities in the Southwest, promoting teamwork, resilience, and confidence through our activities.

Plymouth

Britain’s Ocean City

With a deep-rooted maritime legacy, Plymouth is a natural hub for our sail training operations. Known as Britain’s Ocean City, it offers excellent access to open waters and a thriving sailing community. Our presence here strengthens opportunities for individuals to experience life at sea, build new skills, and foster personal growth in a historic yet forward-thinking setting.

Reading

Central inland location

Reading’s strategic location and strong transport links make it an important base for our support services and outreach initiatives. By operating here, we can extend our reach to young people and communities in the South East, ensuring they have opportunities to engage with our programmes and experience the transformative power of sail training.

Raising aspirations

During their time at STT, students will learn the essential skills and expertise to gain a huge range of qualifications that can shape their future career.

From becoming a watersports or sailing instructor, to gaining a place in the Navy or even becoming professional sailor – their RYA qualifications open up a path of opportunity for their future.

“

All our students have benefitted greatly from attending PSTT. The staff are brilliant. I would recommend this course to other schools.

Jen Jordan, Priory School

The students who have been involved in the PSTT programme are incredibly positive about their experiences. I am noticing a difference in their levels of confidence and have no doubt that this programme is raising their aspirations, which is obviously the main aim.

Gemma Pearse, Assistant Head Teacher, Trafalgar School
The level of expertise and patience of the instructors has made engaging the students in learning a difficult skill very easy as it has fuelled the students’ keenness to attend week after week.
Steve Fletcher, Achievement Centre Manager – Milton Cross School

They are now more organised, more independent and have more self-belief in every task that they do. I have seen the student’s communication skills improve and seen great team building throughout.

Scott Miller, Oaklands Catholic School and Sixth Form College

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

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