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Teenagers got a flavour of life in the Royal Navy.

Year 9 and 10 students at Royal Docks Academy took on various challenges set by members of the Royal Navy, as well as learning about the best food for energy and nutrition.

They worked together to build a tower in under four minutes, to travel from one side of the room to the other using just a couple of tyres to stand on and tasted food from ration packs.

Simeon Low, officer in charge of engagement team for East of England with the Royal Navy, said: “We are here to give young people an awareness of the Royal Navy. We talk to them about humanitarian aid and give them an appreciation of what the Navy is and what it does. If interest is sparked in joining, that is wonderful. If they leave with a positive view of the Navy today, even better.

“The tasks we have set are really simple, but everyone will always automatically overcomplicate them. What we have asked for with the tower-building only takes two minutes, but it will often take people 20 minutes as they overcomplicate it.

“We use our teamwork and leadership workshop to encourage those soft skills of teamwork, leadership, listening, communication; all the things you are never going to get a grade for, but are really important. It is not all about grades; to be able to say you work well in a team or are a good communicator is important, too. We are all about more than a list of grades, so start pushing yourself. This is highlighting that to them.

“We are challenging them in ways the classroom cannot; to develop that wider person.”

Siofra Gavin, PSHE co-ordinator, said: “The work with the Navy showed our students the opportunities open to them when they leave school.

“The activities also improved their teamwork and communication skills as they could not complete the tasks without working closely together. Even those who have struggled have succeeded as their peers have supported and encouraged them. When they leave school, those skills will be important whatever they decide to do.”