Deepings School old boy visits in Sea King helicopter
Royal Navy pilot, Lieutenant Ed Vaughan (30) visited The Deepings School in his Sea King helicopter on Wednesday to give a talk about the benefits of a career in the armed forces.
Royal Navy pilot, Lieutenant Ed Vaughan (30) visited The Deepings School in his Sea King helicopter on Wednesday to give a talk about the benefits of a career in the armed forces.He stopped off at the school in Deeping St James - where he studied his A levels between 1995 and 1997 - en route from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, in Somerset, to a training exercise at RAF Wittering.
Accompanying him were Lieutenant James Catts and Sergeants Paul Rickard and Taff Marchant. Together they gave an hour-long career talk about life in the forces to 30 enthusiastic pupils.
The children, in Years 9 to 13, were then invited to have a look around the Mark 6 Sea King helicopter and sit in the cockpit.
Teacher Sarah Harlock, who organised the event, said: "The children were absolutely buzzing. We never realised they would actually be able to go into the helicopter.
"We only invited pupils who are old enough to seriously consider a career in the Navy but all the teachers told me that every pupil was looking out the window at the helicopter.
"We would invite them back any time, but obviously they are stationed all over the world so it is quite a hard thing to organise."
After the talk about his time in the Navy, Ed took a trip to his old classrooms for a question and answer session with current pupils.
He then enjoyed a buffet in the cafeteria with Sgt Rickard and Lt Catts, while Sgt Marchant kept guard on the helicopter.
Ben Warner (17) said: "It was an experience which has truly made me have a think about choosing a career where I'll be sitting in an office all day."
Jack Davenport (15) said: "Hearing Ed talk really inspired me to seriously consider joining the forces."
Head teacher Chris Beckett said: "The children were incredibly enthusiastic about learning more about a career in the forces.
It is great in the current climate that people are still interested in serving their country.
"I remember Ed well from his time at the school and it was something of a coup for him to fly back in to speak to the people who now sit at the same desks he used.
"We had been organising the event for 18 months but it has been very difficult to get a date because he has been so busy with the Navy. It was great to see it finally happen."
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Weather for Peterborough
Wednesday 17 March 2010
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Temperature: 2 C - 8 C
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Wind direction: North west
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