Oak View Academy pupils jump aboard a trip to Anderton

Pupils at Oak View Academy are buoyant after visiting the historic Anderton Boat Lift as part of their geography studies.

Children in Year 3 are learning about rivers and canals, and teachers spotted a perfect opportunity for an educational visit to a world famous landmark right on their doorstep.

The Anderton Boat Lift, built in 1875, is the world’s first successful boat lift. Since opening, it has transported millions of boats by ‘floating’ them up and down the 50ft drop between the water courses.

Now it has made a real splash with pupils – many of whom got to ride waves aboard a boat for the first time.

Teacher Nadia Notarpippo said: “The purpose of the visit was to find out about rivers as part of our geography topic this term.

“The children have learned about what rivers were used for in the past, such as the transportation of goods, and how canals were part of this.

“Most of the class had never been on a boat before and they all enjoyed it – though some were apprehensive about going up the lift!

“Now the children will use this knowledge to shape their understanding of rivers, and also to write a recount for English lessons.

“Learning outside this classroom was very important as it will enable them to draw upon this experience in a real-world context.”

The Anderton Boat Lift is considered one of the country’s foremost pieces of high Victorian engineering.

Often called one of the ‘wonders of the waterways’, it is located between the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal.

More than 120,000 people flock to the attraction each year.

Oak View Academy, in Whitby’s Lane, is part of North West Academies Trust (NWAT), and shares resources and experience with several other schools including Delamere Academy, near Northwich, and St Martin’s Academy, at Chester.

The former Rudheath High School, Northwich, and Wallerscote Primary School, Weaverham, will also join the Trust from November.

All the NWAT schools pride themselves on finding new and innovative ways for pupils to learn, often away from the classroom.