Maritime activity 6: lifeboat rescue

Children investigate the history of shipwrecks and rescues on the coast between Folkestone, Sandgate and Hythe. Then create a History of the Lifeboat presentation or Lifeboat Rescue story, using images gathered from the Learn with Objects website and elsewhere.

Learning objectives
Increased knowledge and understanding of the history of life-saving at sea and the valuable work of the RNLI and HM Coastguard today.

Skills and confidence in delivering a presentation to the whole class.

Curriculum links

KS1-2 History (Local History Study).

KS1-2 ICT (creating a Powerpoint presentation)

KS1-2 Art and design (creating illustrations to tell a story)

KS1-2 English (Presentation skills, speaking in front of an audience).

Discuss the history of saving life at sea.

What do the children already know?

Have they heard of the RNLI and the Coastguard?

What do the RNLI and Coastguard do today?

Set the class the challenge to research some of the questions below using Learn with Objects and other websites.

• How were people rescued at sea in the days before lifeboats?
• Why and when were lifeboats invented?
• When did lifeboats first come to Folkestone, Sandgate and Hythe?
• Which were some of the most famous local lifeboat rescues?
• Who made up the lifeboat crews?
• How were early lifeboats powered?
• What stopped them sinking?
• What might save a lifeboatman if he fell overboard?
• How do Victorian lifeboats compare to modern ones, including the lifeboat stationed at Hythe today?

If possible see if you can arrange a visit to your local Coastguard or lifeboat station, or if a crew member can come and visit you to talk about their work.

Create your own History of the Lifeboat Service or Lifeboat Rescue story in 6 slides, inspired by the magic lantern slides and photographs of Folkestone’s first lifeboat and its crew in Learn with Objects Maritime 7: lifeboat.

You can either use images you have found in your research or draw or paint your own.

Now turn out the lights and present your show to the rest of the class, or to parents and invited guests.

Why not include a collection for the RNLI to support them in their valuable work today?

Learn with Objects links

There’s a wealth of evidence about shipwrecks and lifeboats in Learn with Objects Maritime 3, 7 and 8.