Schoolchildren across Newham will benefit from an education pack focusing on the history of the Royal Docks launched by London City Airport in partnership with the Museum of London Docklands.

The document is called Your Royal Docks and is designed as a teaching resource for Key Stage 2 children. Although it is already being used by some schools in Newham it was officially launched on Thursday on board the Sunborn London yacht, moored at Royal Victoria Dock next to ExCeL exhibition centre.

East Ham MP Stephen Timms, teachers, Newham councillors and school children were among those who attended the launch which included a short film about the Royal Docks.

Declan Collier, chief executive at London City Airport, said the education pack was created following consultation with head teachers in Newham where it will be distributed to over 60 schools. Of those, 15 are already using it.

Mr Collier said: “We know that this place is going places. Royal Docks is on the cusp of a new era of greatness.”

Former BBC journalist Mike Ramsden spoke about the history of the area, including the Tate & Lyle sugar refinery, the docks and the creation of the ExCeL exhibition centre. He also talked about planned future developments for the area such as the Asian Business Port.

He said: “Our story has taken us from boats with cargoes of provisions, to yachts with cargoes of people. From the exchange of goods to the exchange of ideas. And at the centre of it all, London’s Royal Docks- the place where people will share ideas, now and in the future.”

Mary Wilson, a teacher from Drew Primary School in Silvertown, said: “I think it is fantastic because there is so much history in this area.

“It is looking forward and back at where we have come from. I think it is important, when we look at the opportunities there are for children, to see what their history is.”