Year 10 Pupils Take Flight with Inspiring Visit to Newcastle Aviation Academy

A small group of Year 10 pupils recently had an incredible opportunity as they took part in a Post-16 taster day at Newcastle College’s Aviation Academy — the first in a series of experiences designed to help pupils explore their options after Year 11.

The Academy is a specialist, multi-million-pound training facility located on-site at Newcastle International Airport and is the only dedicated facility of its kind in the North East. Operated by Newcastle College, it plays a key role in training the next generation of aviation professionals. The site is based in a 12,000m² aircraft hangar and houses a range of aircraft, including a Boeing 737, BAE Jetstream 31, Piper Aztec, Jet Provosts and a BAC 1-11.

During the visit, pupils were fully immersed in the world of aeronautical engineering. They explored the impressive facilities, learnt about the range of courses available and had the opportunity to see first-hand the scale of training provision on site. A particular highlight was heading into the hangar to view the aircraft up close, as well as watching degree students take part in a live practical engineering task.

Pupils also took part in a series of hands-on activities throughout the day, before finishing with a flight simulation challenge. After some competitive attempts, Logan achieved the highest score of the group.

The visit provided a valuable insight into post-16 pathways in engineering and aviation, offering pupils the chance to experience a specialist training environment and begin thinking about their future options.

This marks the beginning of a wider programme of Post-16 experiences planned for Year 10 pupils.