Former pupils and current students from Cokethorpe School reunited over the Easter holidays for a newly established sailing event at Farmoor Reservoir in Oxfordshire, celebrating the enduring friendships fostered through the school’s sailing programme.
The initiative was led by former pupil Caellum Sharp, now studying medicine at the University of Southampton, who sought to create an opportunity for past and present sailors to reconnect on the water.
The event brought together participants across different generations, reflecting the lasting impact of the programme on the school’s community.
He said “Sailing at Cokethorpe builds such incredible friendships because you spend so much time in the boat together learning to trust and work with each other.
“When people leave school, they often do not get the chance to sail together again, so this event is a chance to reconnect and get back on the water.”
A distinctive feature of sailing at Cokethorpe is its inclusive structure, pairing pupils of varying ages and experience levels in the same boat. This approach helps to strengthen relationships across year groups and encourages collaboration, trust, and mentorship among students.
The event took place at Farmoor Reservoir and was delivered by two of the school’s sailing coaches using the school’s fleet of boats. It followed the procedures of the Oxford Sail Training Trust (OSTT), which supports schools, clubs, and community groups across Oxfordshire by providing access to boats, coaching, and water-safety training.
Callum said returning to the venue made the occasion particularly meaningful.
“Holding the event at Farmoor Reservoir makes it particularly special, because it is where so many of us first learned to sail and where so many memories were made.”
He added that the sailing programme at Cokethorpe is defined by teamwork and shared experiences, equipping pupils with valuable life skills beyond the classroom.
“One of the best things about sailing at Cokethorpe is that you spend so much time working together in the boat that you really get to know each other. It is about trust, teamwork, and learning to rely on each other.”
The Old Cokethorpean Sailing Morning welcomed both current sailors and alumni, offering a chance to reconnect with familiar waters as well as with coaches, families, and mentors who played a role in their development.
The event forms part of a wider programme organised by The Cokethorpe Society, a global network of former pupils spanning generations. Cokethorpe School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged four to 18, set within a 150-acre parkland estate near Witney, Oxfordshire.
