A SCHOOL boy uncovered the royal and nautical history of his school after taking on a home project.

Jake Williams, 11, from Ocean Academy, investigated a picture on the Poole Museum website labelled ‘nautical school’.

Jake Williams had never really given much thought to the car park and field at his junior school.

The aim of the year six project was to encourage pupils to learn more about local history.

Jake started researching and quickly uncovered that King George VI had laid the foundation stone for the Nautical School in May 1919 and it was also where he made his first public speech.

Prince Albert – as he was known then – arrived by train for an official ceremony to mark the creation of the Russell-Cotes Nautical School on Constitution Hill Road, Parkstone.

Nothing of the school now remains and the spot where it once stood is used as a car park and field at Ocean Academy.

Jake said: “I started to 'dig' when I got a book about the history of Poole and it mentioned a nautical school around the Parkstone area.

“I investigated when I remembered my teacher had posted a picture of where the school was, labelled 'Nautical School'.

“I began my investigation by logging onto the computer and typing in 'Nautical School Poole'.

“One website mentioned the Russell-Cotes Nautical School. I dug deeper and found a map, showing Constitution Hill Road and the road to the Co-op.

“In the middle, was the school. I was feeling very shocked and proud when I found it out.

“I contacted Mr Lee and he put it on the class stream on Google Classroom. I was the first person to research and find this out.”

Class teacher Jon Lee said: “Jake is a very curious and diligent pupil so I wasn't surprised when he responded however, I was impressed that a pupil his age can act with such independence and determination in the pursuit of knowledge.”