Pupils at Dean Close School were visited by an aspiring astronaut and flight lieutenant last week.
Kerry Bennett gave a talk to parents and pupils about her journey to becoming an RAF pilot and her participation in the BBC television series, ‘Astronauts: Do you have what it takes?’
Firstly, she spoke to the pre-preparatory school pupils about the different types of planes she had flown and the important people boarding them, most notably the Queen. Kerry referred to the different skills that are needed to become a successful pilot, including patience and teamwork.
She then spoke to older pupils and parents about her RAF training and how she worked hard and demonstrated resilience when things didn’t go according to plan.
Kerry commented on her participation in the BBC television series and the various challenges she faced including learning to fly a helicopter, mastering Russian and undergoing a crash simulation. She finished third in the show and gave examples of times she had overcome difficult situations, encouraging the pupils to dream big as she herself continues her quest to become an astronaut.
She said: “There are so many opportunities for children today and many different career paths open to them. I hope from the experiences I have shared today they will embrace the challenges they face with bravery and positivity. The children were a pleasure to talk to and asked some challenging questions, I wish them all well with their adventures.”