St Aldhelm’s Academy pupils were proud recipients of graduation certificates after completing the Jon Egging Trust’s Dorset Blue Skies Level One programme. The ceremony took place at Bournemouth University. Picture by Deep South Media head of visual Paul Collins.
Thirteen students from St. Aldhelm’s Academy in Poole have graduated with flying colours from an ‘inspirational’ programme run by the Jon Egging Trust (JET).
The Trust’s Blue Skies programme supports young people who find themselves in difficult circumstances, helping them to overcome adversity and achieve their full potential.
Kaye Jackson, Dorset Youth Liaison Officer for the Trust, praised both the students and St. Aldhelm’s at a special first-year graduation ceremony held at Bournemouth University.
She said: “They are incredible and have immersed themselves in the programme. They’ve taken in every single one of the sessions and even gave us a gift at the graduation to say thanks.
“It’s our first year with St. Aldhelm’s and I really hope to continue the partnership. The academy is so enthusiastic and supportive of what we are trying to achieve.”
The Jon Egging Trust was set up in memory of Red Arrows pilot Jon Egging (Red 4) who tragically lost his life in 2011 whilst completing a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival.
During the Blue Skies programme, the students are guided through problem solving, teamwork, and communication tasks which will provide them with credits towards a BTEC qualification in Workskills.
The programme has already exposed the youngsters to experiences at MOD Boscombe Down and sessions hosted by Wessex Archaeology and Cobham Aviation Services.
St. Aldhelm’s has recently been awarded a Good Ofsted rating and Executive Principal Sian Thomas was delighted with the progress the students have made.
Speaking at the ceremony, she said: “This has been a fantastic and inspirational programme for all the students involved.
“They have really embraced the programme and have taken a huge amount from their experience with Blue Skies.
“I look forward immensely to seeing how they develop over the next 12 months.”
The students can now look forward to a further two years of the programme.
During the second year they will experience different styles of leadership to help boost their confidence.
In the final year the students can look forward to week-long work placements.
And the students have certainly been inspired by their first year with Blue Skies.
St Aldhelm’s pupil Isaac Sanger, 14, said: “I have always been interested in planes and this experience has made me look into being a pilot.”
His enthusiasm was shared by fellow St Aldhelm’s youngster Mya Black, 14, who said: “There are a lot of interesting jobs behind the scenes and it looks like a really exciting career.”
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