ACP Revisits Townley Grammar as 2026 Roadshow Gains Momentum
The Schools’ Aerospace Careers Programme was pleased to continue its 2026 Roadshow with a visit to Townley Grammar School in Bexleyheath on 10 February 2026. The full-day event welcomed approximately 120 students, including visiting groups from five surrounding schools. The ACP team for the visit comprised of Chris Marshall, Mike Stokes and Ogi Damjanovic, with ACP Chairman Dr Michael Smith also in attendance.
Following a successful presentation at Townley Grammar in 2024, the ACP returned this year with an expanded technology suite for the afternoon breakout sessions, reflecting the continued growth and development of the Roadshow programme. The increase in equipment and interactive demonstrations allowed for greater hands-on engagement and broader exposure to the technologies shaping modern aerospace and STEM industries.
The morning presentations followed the ACP’s structured format, introducing students to the rapid technological shifts influencing aerospace, aviation, simulation, and engineering. Chris Marshall outlined the evolving aerospace landscape and the technical demands students can expect in future careers moving into 5IR. Ogi Damjanovic then explored immersive virtual reality design, demonstrating how creative and engineering workflows increasingly overlap through advanced digital tools. Mike Stokes completed the morning session by explaining pilot training pathways and the academic preparation that supports both flying careers and wider roles within aviation and aerospace.
In the afternoon, students rotated through breakout activities designed to reinforce the themes discussed earlier in the day. FPV drone simulators offered practical exposure to flight control and spatial awareness. The VR design station enabled students to construct and navigate their own 3D environments with assistance from Ogi. Mike led both the VR Flight Experience and the ACP Flight Simulator, providing insight into cockpit procedures, decision-making under pressure, and the fundamentals of aircraft handling. Spot, the quadruped robot, again proved a focal point for discussion, demonstrating real-world robotics integrated with AI-driven interaction.
Engagement remained consistently high throughout the day, particularly given the multi-school format, with students actively asking questions about career pathways, apprenticeship options, and the long-term implications of emerging technologies.
Student feedback from the event was overwhelming positive with various quotes below:
“Witnessing the future in front of my eyes has shown me that the sky has become the new floor in our generation.”
“This event enabled huge discussions surrounding aerospace and considerations of unique jobs that relate to it. The blend of schools provided a lot of socialising that has led to me meeting people of similar interests. It was a wonderful event!”
“A very eye-opening experience and gave me an insight into the diversity of emerging technology and how it can be applied to many different industries.”
“This was an extremely exciting day, and I’ve learnt so much about the importance of technology in today’s world.”
The ACP extends its thanks to Wendy Williams, Careers Lead at Townley Grammar School, for coordinating the event, and to all participating schools for contributing to a highly productive and forward-looking day.
Supporting companies for this event: Airborne Platforms UK and DevelopMyWeb
