Flight Lieutenant Patrick Kershaw meets Sixth Form students at Guilsborough AcademyFlight Lieutenant Patrick Kershaw meets Sixth Form students at Guilsborough Academy
Flight Lieutenant Patrick Kershaw meets Sixth Form students at Guilsborough Academy

Chocks away! Former student turned Red Arrows pilot opens new £1.3m ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​centre at academy near Northampton

Pilot for Red 3 tells pupils of six-year drive to become part of world-famous team

A new sixth form centre has been given the perfect launch pad to success after it was officially opened by Red Arrows Pilot and RAF Flight Lieutenant, Patrick Kershaw.

Guilsborough Academy’s fantastic new building is home to a dedicated Business, Economics, Psychology and Sociology Centre, and also boasts five classrooms, conferencing facilities and a Sixth Form café area and study space.

Simon Frazer, Principal at Guilsborough Academy, said: “This is an incredibly important moment for our school community, and something which has been eight years in the making.

"This Sixth Form Centre will really transform the experience for our post-16 students, not only will they benefit from incredible new teaching facilities, but they will be able to have a university campus experience, where they can focus on their studies and nurture the highest possible aspirations for the future."

Created in the style of a university campus, Guilsborough Academy’s new Sixth Form Centre completes the school’s vision for a state-of-the-art learning and social space for Sixth Form students to enjoy. It will become the hub of life for post-16 students, who can currently choose from 25 courses of study.

At the official opening, Patrick Kershaw, who studied at Guilsborough Academy from 1997 to 2003, spoke of his 16 years’ service with the Royal Air Force, and having taken part in operations over North Africa and the Middle East, as well as numerous multinational exercises. Now in his first year as a Red Arrows Pilot for Red 3, Mr Kershaw also discussed his six-year long drive to become part of the world-famous flying team.

He said: “I firmly believe that whatever you want to do just go for it, don't worry about failing, just persevere, and this is something I hope students take away from speaking to me today. My story is testament to that as I began applying to join the Red Arrows in 2015, but each time I faced a hurdle I became even more determined to achieve my dream.

“It is a real privilege and honour to officially open Guilsborough Academy’s Sixth Form Centre. I have so many happy memories of my time here and know that this centre will be of great benefit for generations to come.”

Simon Frazer, Principal at Guilsborough Academy, said: “This is an incredibly important moment for our school community, and something which has been eight years in the making.

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