West Grantham C of E Primary Academy children aim for the stars in science topic

Donation by International Air and Space Training Institute (IASTI®) supports a surprise trip for children

Year 6 children at West Grantham C of E Primary Academy have been aiming high and reaching for the stars in their science topic about space.

The children were tasked with learning about the planets and gravity and followed a 6-week STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programme which covered a variety of in-depth studies.

The programme included researching the qualities and qualifications needed to be an astronaut and using that knowledge to write to the European Space Agency, requesting a place on their Astronaut Training Programme, and demonstrating the qualities needed to be chosen.

Children also designed a space suit, designed and built rockets which could fly and researched the necessary requirements to operate a space station, finally building their own models.

Mrs Charley Walledge is a Year 6 Teacher at West Grantham C of E Primary Academy and said that children embraced the topic.  “It is really important for children to have a STEM rich curriculum to explore as it promotes critical thinking and problem solving.  These skills can be transferred to all areas of the curriculum and daily life. 

“Providing children with these opportunities promotes a passion for innovation and it is a strong foundation for our future generation of scientists, inventors and engineers.  The children enjoy being able to work creatively and are rightly proud of their work.  They were so engaged in this topic and were disappointed when it finished!”

At the culmination of their work children wrote a letter during their English lessons to the academy’s Executive Head Teacher, Mrs Anna Martin, requesting a school trip to the National Space Centre in Leicester. Anna said, “I was delighted to be able to tell children that they would be visiting The National Space Centre on May 16^th, which for many children, will be the first school trip since the beginning of the pandemic.”

Anna said that a donation of £500 from theInternational Air and Space Training Institute (IASTI®) helped to fund the school trip.

“We are incredibly fortunate that at Magnus in Newark, a fellow Southwell & Nottingham Multi Academy Trust (SNMAT) school, to work in partnership with IASTI® to deliver 2-year courses covering pilot, engineering and ground operations, -the equivalent of 3 A Levels in aviation training.

“IASTI are passionate about supporting young people to achieve careers in aviation, and we are delighted that the Magnus partnership is also supporting our younger children in West Grantham to enjoy such an inspirational school trip. Our thanks go to Simon Witts and the IASTI team for the gift and we are sure that our children will make the most of this opportunity.”  

Teacher Charley Walledge said the programme has been a great success, “We have already moved on to exploring more topics linked to force and are experimenting and building inventions that use levers, gears and pulleys with the intention of building a stage with a moving stage curtain, using some of the mechanisms we have learnt about.  This links to our novel of Macbeth.

“All of children’s learning will be reinforced by the school trip to the National Space Centre in Leicester. When children heard the news that they would be going on the trip at the end of our school fair, they were absolutely elated, we even had some tears of joy!”

Simon Witts is CEO and Founder of theInternational Air and Space Training Institute (IASTI®) which helped to fund the children’s school trip. He said, “We want to fully activate minds and allow people to dream of careers that they previously thought would be beyond them. That’s why we are so proud to be able to support West Grantham C of E Primary Academy pupils in their visit to the National Space Centre.

“This reflects our vision at IASTI, a global movement setting down direct routes to future sustainable aviation. It’s about providing the opportunities for people from all backgrounds to access the exciting world of air and space and opening up the opportunities that previously appeared to be closed. 

“We are currently working with Magnus in Newark to deliver courses for students to gain qualifications which are direct Pathways into those professions, in industry-led and unique courses, delivered in partnership with leading Schools and Colleges such as Magnus Church of England Academy. 

“We hope the children at West Grantham have a wonderful day and are inspired to aim high with their future career choices.”