12 RN cadets, Captain John and Lt van der Werff enjoyed the most incredible day on Thursday 15th June, on a ship visit of HMS Queen Elizabeth at the invitation of Old Blue LtCdr James Callender. The QE is the fleet flagship, and the first of our 2 new aircraft carriers. We saw the hanger, bridge, ops room and some of the crew’s facilities like the hospital, shop and mess areas. The highlight had to be first stepping up onto the flight deck, and then walking (trying not to sing the Top Gun theme tune) up the take-off ramp. The scale of this ship is staggering.

We also had a fascinating tour and talk at the Defence Diving School where the RN bomb disposal teams train and operate from. Matt in Year 9 got to try on the 60kg protective suit, more than doubling his body weight.

This was a day that everyone will remember for ever – one that money could not buy: an experience that makes any complaints by cadets and officers about drill on a wet, cold December suddenly disappear from the memory!