8 August 2017

The Royal Air Force is a long-standing, enthusiastic supporter of the Arkwright Engineering Scholarships. In July the RAF hosted a three-day Leadership Residential Course exclusively for 22 Arkwright Scholars.

The course took in team building and leadership exercises such as raft building and 'tower walking' and also a visit to an operational RAF base - RAF Odiham, where the Scholars were treated to a rare flight in a Chinook helicopter. 

The Scholars were accompanied by four volunteer teachers from Arkwright-affiliated schools who helped to chaperone the Scholars. One of the teachers, Ms Gwen Andrews, Head of Applied Studies Faculty at Sutton Grammar School For Boys, said: "The visit to the RAF Odiham base was brilliant and the flight in the Chinook was out of this world!!! We even had lunch in the Officers Mess. I just loved every bit of this trip. I was so impressed I'm considering joining the RAF Reserve, which would never have crossed my mind before this trip".