RAF award for students

Students at Blackpool Sixth Form College were awarded a prestigious platinum partner link by the RAF at the college’s RAF Week event.

The platinum award, which honours the relationship between education and the air force, places the college’s BTEC Level 3 Uniformed Public Service course as one of the top 50 in the country.

Flight Lieutenant Ed Stephens from the RAF Recruitment team in Aintree visited the college on Blackpool Old Road to present the award to Public Service students in full military dress.

He said: “It was a pleasure to recognise the Blackpool Sixth Form College’s public service department and I can’t stress enough the importance of this strong link with the college.”

Students were also given insight into the life of an RAF member by taking part in leadership and discipline activities and putting their critical thinking skills to the test in a variety of aptitude tests.

Blackpool Sixth Form public service student Sabrina Leahy said: “The public service course is important as it prepares you for your future career; it teaches you about the different public services such as the police and army.

“It was important for them to come into college and talk about the RAF and what life and training is like because students got to see what it is like in real life by them telling their past experiences and roles.

“I got the opportunity to see what life is really like for a flight lieutenant. The experiences have really interested me and made me excited to join!”

Blackpool Sixth Form teacher Paul Moran added: “We have had an excellent link with the RAF for the past four years.

“It’s a wonderful achievement for the Public Service team and we look forward to strengthening our link in the future.”