Children at Moorlands Schools Federation enjoyed a memorable surprise when a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter landed on one of their playgrounds as part of a special learning experience linked to their EYFS theme of ‘Heroes’.
The unusual visit gave children the opportunity to see the helicopter up close, sit in the cockpit and learn how the aircraft works. Some pupils even had the chance to try on the pilots’ helmets, while the rest of the school gathered to watch the helicopter arrive and depart.
The visit was made possible by two members of the school’s parental community, Sammy and Andrew, who helped arrange for the aircraft to visit the school.
For many pupils, it was an unforgettable experience. Arthur, a Year 5 pupil at Moorlands, said, “It blew my mind, just like the wind did!”
The helicopter visit formed part of the school’s wider learning around people who help others and different career paths available to children in the future.
Miss Louisa Sellars, Executive Headteacher at Moorlands Schools Federation, thanked those involved in making the visit happen. “We’re tremendously grateful to Sammy and Andrew, the two members of our school parental community who worked to make this visit possible.
“When we had a helicopter visit two years ago, we thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the Moorlands community. For some of the lucky children here, it’s already happened twice!
“We’re very fortunate to have such a wonderful community who go to great lengths to demonstrate their different careers and inspire the children.”
The visit provided a unique opportunity for pupils to connect classroom learning with real-life experiences, while also sparking curiosity about careers in the armed forces and aviation.
