DOUBLE Olympic gold medal winning sailor Shirley Robertson has been inspiring and motivating pupils at Brighstone Primary School during the last academic year.

Robertson Class, named after the inspirational Isle of Wight-based sailor, has enjoyed getting to know Shirley who has taken part in several Zoom calls with the Year three and four class since last September.

Shirley has shared stories about the four Olympic Games in which she has competed, the moments she won her gold medals, sailing successes and her successful broadcasting career.

Mrs Rebecca Lennon, headteacher at the school, said: “This year our classes have been named after inspirational sailors with links to the Island and the children have been excited to learn about the achievements of our local sailing heroes.

“We are delighted Shirley has taken the time out of her busy schedule to speak to children in Roberson Class and share her experiences with them.

"She speaks with great passion and charisma for her sport and through the Zoom calls has explained to the children that setting your sights on a goal and working hard is the key to success."

Between calls with the schools, Shirley has spent time in New Zealand commentating on the America’s Cup, where another of the school’s class namesakes, Ben Ainslie, was competing.

Shirley said: “It’s such delight to chat to ‘my’ class at Brighstone primary, I love that they are so interested and inquisitive about sailing and the sea.

"It’s also great each class is named after inspirational Islanders and this is a lovely way to engage the young people of Brighstone with some of our famous Islanders.

"I’m still smiling thinking about some of the questions they asked now.”