Student creates plan to help the Island during lockdown.

Will (U6) is a natural entrepreneur and saw a way to help the Island in lockdown by creating an online marketing campaign to encourage visitors to delay not cancel their visits.

This year has been challenging for most of the population, however some individuals found inspiration within the confines of lockdown. Will is just one of those individuals, hatching a marketing plan to help local businesses from the comfort of his bedroom. As a child he grew up helping his grandparents run a self-catering business on the Island and whilst doing their business accounts in March he saw the real impact of the pandemic. In between online A Level classes he formulated a marketing plan called “The Island Will Wait, Don’t Cancel….Postpone”  The campaign was picked up by Visit Isle Of Wight (the official tourism site for the Island) and over 50 businesses displayed the logo during March, April and May. This campaign was an important part of the Island finding its feet in the aftermath of lockdown.

Far from being a one-off moment of inspiration, Will is a bit of a creative whirlwind. He is an avid photographer, and designer who has redesigned the logo and the website for the family holiday let business and also worked alongside Hampshire based sailing merchandise company Oarsum, to design their website. Photography is a long standing hobby that he picked up from a young age. He said “ When I was young I just picked up my mum's camera and went from there! I enjoy capturing photos that express moments”.

Alongside studying for his A Levels, running marketing campaigns, designing websites, and taking photographs, he is also a keen sailor. For over two years Will has been volunteering as a coach and sighted tactician with Blind Sailing a Registered Charity, which provides sailing for blind and partially sighted people. He spends weekends and school holidays working with experienced and novice sailors with visual impairments. Last year he competed in the Blind Sailing World Championships in Canada, he and his crew raced for 6 days straight and overall, as part of the British team, they won the Squadron Cup for Best Nation. His dedication to service is applauded by the School and every effort is made to support him.  In 2019 Will was able to compete not only in the Blind Sailing Competition but also in the Dragon 90th Anniversary regatta in Italy, while still keeping up with his school work. He is an active member of the school sailing team and the unofficial sailing photographer. 

This year Will finishes his A Levels in Maths, DT and Physics and is then heading off to University. He is aiming high, with great plans for the future; asked where he sees himself in 10 years time, he commented: 

“Having fun mainly, I would like to be working hard, and playing harder. Traveling, sailing etc. Maybe working in management or marketing, potentially with my own agency.”

The School and the teachers are very proud of Will and applaud his ambition. Claudia Manser, Head of Sailing is very supportive of his creativity and work:

‘Will is committed to his progression and development in sailing. He has a broad spectrum of experience and skill and shows extraordinary levels of independence and motivation in both his sailing and work.’ 

Part of the ethos of the school is to help pupils grow into independent confident individuals with ambition and purpose. Will with his entrepreneurial spirit, exemplifies individuality and ambition as well as a strong desire to help others. He fully embodies the service spirit of the School motto - Ut Prosim.