ACP Concludes 2024/25 with Inspiring Presentation in South London
The Schools’ Aerospace Careers Programme (ACP) brought its 2024/25 school year to a close with a presentation at Kingsdale Foundation School in South London, marking ACP’s first-ever visit to the school.
Sixty Year 10 students took part in the session, which followed ACP’s proven format, beginning with a morning of engaging presentations from the team. Chris Marshall opened the day with a talk on the rapid evolution of aerospace technology, covering the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the move towards a Fifth. Mike Stokes followed with a focused look at the pathways into commercial piloting, while Lee Mason delivered a session on emerging technologies, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital design within the aerospace sector.
After lunch, students were introduced to Spot, the quadruped robot developed by Boston Dynamics. Spot engaged directly with the group, responding to student prompts and answering questions in multiple languages, adding an unexpected and memorable dimension to the interaction. The demonstration sparked curiosity and highlighted the growing role of advanced robotics in modern industries.
The day concluded with immersive breakout sessions where students were free to move between activities based on their interests. Chris Marshall operated the FPV drone simulators, Mike Stokes ran the 360-degree virtual reality flight experience, and Lee Mason guided students through a 3D VR design station. The open format encouraged heavy engagement, giving students direct access to each presenter for tailored questions and deeper discussion. The breakout period proved especially effective at reinforcing the topics covered earlier and helped students explore potential future career paths in greater detail.
Feedback from students was enthusiastic and reflective. All quotes below are from different Year 10 students:
“It was an incredible experience. I would love to get into aerospace engineering as a career, and I think that this has been incredibly helpful in telling me about the different sectors of Aerospace. I really enjoyed the interactive activities as well.”
“Fantastic experience! Would certainly recommend to those interested in aerospace!”
“Something I wasn’t expecting, but really needed.”
“ACP: Action, Creativity, Perseverance.”
The Kingsdale visit marked the final stop in a productive year for ACP. Throughout 2024/25, the programme continued its national reach, delivering engaging content and hands-on experiences at schools across the country. This academic year also saw ACP surpass the milestone of 10,000 students reached since the charity began.
ACP thanks Kingsdale Foundation School and careers lead Heather Pike for hosting the event, and extends its appreciation to all the schools and students who took part throughout the year. Planning is already underway for the 2025/26 programme.
