Tour guiding at RAF Waddington Heritage Centre

Today the students from Barnes Wallis Academy became tour guides at the Heritage Centre at RAF Waddington. The main aim of the session was to work on the students’ presentations skills in preparation for their own graduation ceremony in May.

In the morning the students were briefly shown around all the old artefacts at the Heritage Centre by its fantastic staff member Andy. Then, we split the group into pairs and gave them specific areas of the museum that they would have to present to the rest of the group, varying from the Cold War to Lancaster wreckage. The students had to use all the information the museum and Andy had to offer in readiness to answer any questions on their area from the group.

As the mentors were helping the students with different public speaking techniques and pointers, it was great to see the students helping each other with what they had been taught.

Once all the students had done their research and practised their speeches, we set off as a group around the museum, stopping at each main area to have a guided tour by that area’s leader.

The students loved learning all about the history of RAF Waddington from one another and having the chance to present an area/subject in their own way. One of the students said ”I’ve enjoyed so much about today. I’ve loved being able to do my own research on pigeons in the war and then presenting what I’ve learnt to the rest of the group. It’s really boosted my confidence in not only speaking in public but my own ability to do well with a task.”

After all the groups’ fantastic presentations it was off to the low ropes to consolidate everything they have learnt this year on team work. A true highlight of the session was watching how well they all communicated with each other. As we finished the low ropes and talked about their graduation day, one of the students said “I can’t wait to show everyone what we have learned this year.”

We would like to thank all the staff that made today so fantastic.