The highlight of the trip was a behind-the-scenes tour that gave students a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the airport. They got up close to the air traffic control tower and even experienced a drive along the runway, offering a thrilling perspective on airport operations. Throughout the visit, students discovered the incredible variety of roles at Gatwick, from pilots and engineers to social media marketers and wildlife managers. They were particularly amused to learn about Gary the Goat, who helps manage the grass around the airfield as part of the airport’s environmental efforts. The experience opened students’ eyes to the many career paths available in aviation and inspired them to consider future roles they might not have previously imagined.

4 teachers also attended a Teacher Workplace Visit at Gatwick as a professional development opportunity. The aim was to increase their knowledge, confidence and understanding of the labour market, career pathways and skills needed to grow the economy. They can then bring that back to their lessons and  help young people to relate their education to the world of work and hopefully be more informed and better prepared for their next steps.

Thank you to Gatwick Airport for making these opportunities available to Hazelwick.