Flying first class with travel and tourism students at Bath College

Jet-setting pupils at Kingswood School checked in for a relaxing flight to New York with Bath College’s own private airline.

The Key Stage 1 pupils are starting a new topic learning about different countries and cultures around the world.

As part of this, they visited Bath College to take part in a training exercise with Level 3 travel and tourism students.

After handing over their passports and collecting their boarding cards, the children boarded their flight to ‘New York’.

They enjoyed in-flight snacks and entertainment in the college’s mock air cabin, including a ‘where in the world?’ quiz.

Travel and tourism students at Bath College are studying a children’s representative unit and learning about working with children.

On their course they also learn about working as a holiday representative, customer service, and European and long haul travel destinations.

Student Libby Ashworth, 17, said: “We have been really excited about the task and the children were lovely to work with. “We chatted to them about their holidays and the places they have travelled to.

“I might want a job as a children’s rep and we might have children in the air cabin if we go on to work as cabin crew. It helps with your confidence.”

Becci Howe, from Kingswood School, said: “We come to Bath College at the start of our new topic ‘up, up and away’.

“Some of the children have had no experience of going on a plane. The students at Bath College take them on this learning journey using the passports made at school.

“This is a very exciting experience for them and a great start for learning about other countries around the world.”

Colette Williams, Learning Coordinator for Travel and Tourism, said: “This activity gives the students hands-on experience of what it is like to work with children in a travel and tourism context.

“It also provides excellent employability skills for those who wish to pursue a career as a children’s rep or working for an airline.

“This was a very successful visit, which the schoolchildren enjoyed and it has supported the college student with their college assessments.”