The floating classroom.

Tap into unlimited learning and adventure with a Carfax tutor on board to show your young ones the world through new eyes

Throughout history, travel has broadened the mind and been central to civilisation’s greatest innovations. From Marco Polo to Jacques Cousteau, maritime explorers have made great contributions to our understanding of the world. For young sailors, stepping aboard a yacht opens a whole world of adventure, which can be really brought to life with a residential tutor as part of your crew.

This relationship between education and naval exploration has been re-imagined by Carfax Education’s yacht-based residential tuition, creating unique experiences that young people will remember for a lifetime.

Spending time at sea allows for unlimited opportunities for learning adventures that will transform your whole family’s expedition. Carl Morris, Head of Global Tuition, Carfax Education, explains: 'Bringing a tutor on board isn’t just about brushing up on traditional curriculums and adding extra study to vacation time, it’s about getting the most out of travel and allowing young people to be really involved in the whole experience.'

Engaging young people from the start is key, from looking at charts to picking out a route, and once out on the open water, learning different knot types and navigating via the stars. Life at sea brings about the chance to learn things most young people will never get to experience, from marine biology, be it studying coral reefs or underwater lava flows, to studying exotic species from the yacht or examining the real impact of climate change and plastic pollution.

Tutors are often viewed as academic teachers, but really, they act as mentors, bringing out the best in young people by exploring their interests and igniting curiosity in every experience.

'Having an adult on board that isn’t a parent makes them the perfect person not only to teach but support the children, help grow their confidence and bring out skills such as curiosity and creativity,' Morris continued.

Time spent ashore can be just as exciting, bringing cultural excursions to historical and religious sites to life with the stories of the people behind them, be they Roman amphitheatres or Greek temples, as well as visiting art galleries and museums. Day trips get transformed into episodes of Planet Earth. This summer a Carfax tutor took his pupil off the yacht to hike up a volcano, to spot rare species of birds and to visit lesser explored parts of the world. These enriching experiences are not just educational but character building. There are of course other practicalities along the way that offer further opportunities for learning, from working out currency conversions to picking up a few new phrases in a bazaar or a seasonal food market.

Morris explains how these opportunities and experiences give young people a competitive edge: 'In a world where entry to top schools and universities is increasingly competitive, the opportunity to travel is not just a privilege, but an advantage. Presented as extra-curricular field trips these experiences make an applicant stand out when it comes to interviews for top schools or personal statements for university entry.'

Carfax tutors are drawn from the world’s top educational institutions, including Oxbridge, Ivy League, and Russell Group universities. Carfax is committed to finding the right tutor for each child and family, looking at their interests and extra-curricular experience as well as educational achievements. Unusual requests, niche interests, and bespoke educational solutions are a speciality of Carfax.

One family who went sailing for a few months wanted to use this time to get their son to learn Hebrew. Another took a year-long round-the-world voyage but did not want their two children to miss out on a year of schooling. Carfax provided a team of subject-specialist tutors who were rotating throughout the year joining the expedition in various ports and were able to cover the entire curriculum between them.

'For many families, our staff are not just delivering an academic programme, but act as mentors to young people, helping develop their aspirations beyond exam results and setting a great example of life after education. One of our tutors who spent this summer sailing around the Mediterranean with a family described his role as part tutor, part nanny and part big brother. He formed a great bond with the boys, whose English improved more in two months than it had all year, all while allowing them to enjoy the fun of their summer and make lifelong memories,' said Morris.

For more adventurous families spending lengthy amounts of time at sea, on-board tutors are also available for longer-term support, encapsulating the extracurricular experiences of holiday travels and the stability of full-time schooling.

'For children of all ages, residential tutors are there to develop a tailored plan of activities which will not only ensure they keep up with their peers, but far exceed them. The lessons they deliver won’t see children missing out on experiences as they cram in lesson time but will build upon their adventure with tailored curriculums maintaining high academic standards and working towards their academic and career goals,' Morris adds.

Bringing a tutor aboard can inspire a love for learning, without young people feeling like they’ve done a minute of work! Developing fully personalised, immersive experiences that allow pupils to explore new subjects that might not be available to them at school, with a focus on developing their interests, is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London, Monaco, New York, Miami, Singapore or all other locations.

- Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.