Travel and tourism students provide first-class flying experience for youngsters

Jet-setting Key Stage 1 pupils at Kingswood School in Bath recently checked in for a relaxing flight to New York, thanks to a little help from 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.”