Bosses at a Shropshire RAF base have enjoyed a visit to a ‘vibrant’ and ‘industrious’ school in order to continue a close working relationship.
Group Captain Jason Appleton, the new station commander at RAF Shawbury, visited Thomas Adams School in Wem to meet the staff and pupils and learn more about how the two institutions work together.
He said the visit, his first since he took up the post in August this year, was a huge success.
He said: “This was my first visit to Thomas Adams School since taking over as Station Commander at RAF Shawbury and I very much enjoyed the tour and meeting the head teacher and staff.
“It was a pleasure to visit such a vibrant and industrious school.
“We have always enjoyed close links with Thomas Adams, with over 70 children from the RAF Shawbury community attending; we regularly support the school with career initiatives such as their recent Red, White and Blue Day which give the children the opportunity to develop their understanding of the Armed Forces and the potential career choices.”
Along with Wing Commander Neil Hope and Gail Moore of the RAF Shawbury community team, Group Captain Appleton toured the school in Lowe Hill Road, met staff and sat in on a few lessons.
The visit on Monday (Oct 19) followed a series of initiatives in the past which have seen pilots from RAF Shawbury give talks to pupils, helicopters being landed on the school field and RAF personnel take part in and visit school events.
A number of pupils who attend Thomas Adams School are from military families and head teacher Liz Dakin said it is a vital link which they work hard to maintain.
She said: “This is the sort of visit that our pupils really look forward to and enjoy.
“It is an inspiration for them to meet a member of the RAF and hear them speak about their job.
“We also have a lot of forces children at the school and they enjoy hearing about their parent’s jobs too.
“We are very pleased that Group Captain Appleton could make the time in his busy schedule to come along and tour our school, we look forward to working together in any way we can in the future.”
L to R- Wing Commander Neil Hope, Gail Moore (Community for RAF Shawbury), head teacher Liz Dakin & Group Captain Jason Appleton
