Last term, some of our Year 10s with an interest in aviation or the military had the opportunity to take part in a gliding experience. Over to Amelie, Year 10:

I was lucky enough to be part of a group of 12 Year 10 students who got the chance to experience flying a glider. Before we went up, we had a safety briefing where we learned about things like the abort process (which was a bit nerve-wracking to hear about!) and how to use a parachute in case of an emergency.

After that, we headed out onto the airfield. The weather was perfect, which made the whole experience even better. We got to look around the glider first and learned about the controls, as well as how to get in and out safely.

Then it was time to fly! One by one, we each took the front seat with a trained pilot sitting behind us. A powered plane towed us along the runway and up into the sky. When we reached about 2,000 feet, the rope was released and suddenly we were gliding through the air - it felt amazing, soaring like a bird.

The best part was that we got to take control and try flying the glider ourselves. It was such an exciting and unforgettable experience.

Coming back down, some landings were smoother than others, but everyone really enjoyed it. Overall, it was an incredible day and something we will never forget.