| Armed Forces Education & Opportunities |
The Royal Navy, the Household Cavalry and the Royal Marine Commandos all spent time at Barry Comprehensive School this week providing demonstrations, presentations and hands-on activities for boys from all year groups.
The events, which took place over two days, had two main goals, firstly to educate pupils about the role of the armed forces and secondly to raise awareness of the armed forces as a possible career route.
The educational aspect of the visit centred on a multimedia presentation by the Royal Navy Presentation Team led by Stuart McQuaker and Anna Jordan. Their fascinating programme presented pupils and staff with a ‘citizens guide’ to the armed forces. This included fundamentals like why there is a need for an armed service, how it is funded, organised and an examination of the varied of work undertaken by the services. The presentation ended with an open question and answer session.
The awareness aspect of the visit began with the Household Cavalry who provided an insight into their role of royal protection as well as information about their recent international operations in Kosovo and Iraq. The speakers, some of whom were only a few years older than the pupils they were addressing, recounted their experiences of first joining-up and training and then painted a vivid picture of their day-to-day lives.
The Royal Marine Commandoes spent a day in the school gym putting the boys through a series of exercises games and competitions designed to encourage teamwork.
Two mobile information units were also on site. The Careers Wales Bus offered general advice to pupils whilst the Navy’s own unit had specific information relating to careers in the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Commandoes.
The most highly anticipated event was the arrival of a Royal Navy Lynx Helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton. Years 7, 8 and 9 gathered on the playing field to watch the helicopter land and then spent time inspecting the Lynx and talking to the pilot, Huw Reynolds, and the crew.
The school would like to thank our friends in the Armed Services for providing us with two very enjoyable and informative days.
Photos
- The Household Cavalry speaking to Year 11
- Royal Navy Presentation Team address pupils in the Hall
- Royal Navy Presentation Team back at base
- Royal Navy Information Unit
- Careers Wales Bus
- The race is on in the Gym
- Royal Marine Commandoes with pupils in the Gym
- Pupils inspecting the Royal Navy Lynx Helicopter
- Pupils inspecting the Royal Navy Lynx Helicopter
- Form 7JC pose in front of the Royal Navy Lynx Helicopter
- Pilot Huw Reynolds and Year 8 pupil Luke Grandin
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