Colfe’s attend launch of Aerospace Careers Programme
On 27 September, Colfe’s School was delighted to be part of the Sandy Gunn AA810 Aerospace Careers Programme (ACP) launch event at Cranfield University. The ACP works with young people, aged 14 to 18, to guide them into careers within the Aviation and Aerospace industries. Colfe’s School is an education partner in the exciting project that provides a youth engagement and education programme alongside the restoration of ‘AA810’ – a very rare photo reconnaissance Spitfire from the Second World War.
Brought back from the mountains of Norway where it crashed in 1942, it will provide a living, flying memorial to its pilot Alastair ‘Sandy’ Gunn, who was captured by the Nazis and sent to the infamous Stalag Luft III. On the night of the ‘Great Escape’ in 1944, Sandy went out through ‘Harry’ tunnel. Sadly Sandy was captured, and was one of the allied prisoners executed on the direct orders of Adolf Hitler.
Colfe’s is delighted that its students will be able to participate in the programme that seeks to further promote STEM and engineering, whilst keeping a important part of the past alive. Speaking after the event, Ms Crummay, Head of History said, “These men of the photo reconnaissance unit flew into battle armed only with a camera lens. Flying an unarmoured aircraft meant that they were at a greater risk of being shot down, especially when flying such dangerous, important missions like Sandy. On his 100th birthday, it seems a fitting tribute to launch an educational programme in his honour that will inspire and encourage our students to develop their engineering skills, helping aspirant students to access career opportunities in aerospace industries and the world of engineering.”
Students will receive a presentation by the ACP team in January with details about the exciting engineering workshops and hands-on experience available in the world of engineering and aerospace.