To support Year 9 at the beginning of their GCSE History journey and to build on their experience of the Battlefields Trip to Ypres, we visited the RAF Museum in Hendon. Pupils had a workshop called ‘Flying Colours’ on arrival to the museum which explored the reasons for the ‘Colour Ban’ in the RAF. Pupils learned about the policies surrounding joining the RAF and how policy and procedures had to respond to the demands of war.
Pupils explored flying conditions and how these have changed over time and the importance of intelligence as a non-violent method of stopping war. Pupils looked at uniforms and protective wear and had a chance to try these on. We also got to try out the modern technology in the RAF from flightpaths, speed tests and using sonar equipment as intelligence.
Pupils also looked at aircraft and how it has changed over time. We looked at several case studies of ‘people of colour’ and the restrictions around joining the RAF whether they be determined by law or socio-economic narratives. Mrs Celentano used a real-life case study of her family member who was working for the RAF in Cyprus – we are very grateful to the staff who supported this trip and shared their stories of family members.
