Kennal Vale school children were treated to a special appearance from the Royal Navy Search and Rescue Squadron as part of their classroom project on wrecks and rescues.

Members of 771 Naval Air Squadron, the Navy’s search and rescue squadron based at RNAS Culdrose, have been conducting a series of talks and visits across the region, and were invited to the school to help year 2 and 3 pupils with their subject.

Lieutenant Commander Andy Watts, an Observer with 771 NAS, and Leading Aircrewman Sarah Christenson provide the classes with a brief overview of the Sea King helicopter’s main role and the other aircraft used in SAR since 1953, as well as technical details about what it takes to keep the aircraft flying and the dedicated work of the engineers back at Culdrose.

LACMN Christenson said: “It was a fantastic experience to talk about our role and demonstrate the rescue equipment we use with such enthusiastic children.

“I was so pleased to be able to answer their questions and see the delight in their faces as they tried on the helmet and overalls.”

There was plenty of opportunity for willing volunteers to try out the aircrew equipment, rescue strops, and harnesses, and then dress up in aircrew overalls and helmets.

With plenty of insightful, carefully considered questions and quite a queue to try out the kit and tools, all the pupils were provided with a detail large poster about the four Royal Navy SAR helicopters; Dragonfly, Whirlwind, Wessex and Sea King, plus details about some of the most significant rescues undertaken around the UK as a reminder of their day.

Lt Cdr Watts, who has been accepted onto the Troops to Teachers programme from 2016, was delighted to have this opportunity to experience primary school working environment.

He said: “It was so rewarding to provide this presentation, practical demonstration and answer so many well thought out questions. It certainly made me even more excited to enter the teaching environment when I finally retire from the Royal Navy.”

Charlie Blease, class 2 teacher and event organiser, said: “Everyone was so pleased to have both Sarah and Andy come along; they truly inspire the schoolchildren with their presentation and practical demonstrations. They answered all the children’s questions with enthusiasm and patience, and were gratefully received when they responded to every query. The posters of 771 Naval Air Squadron’s search and rescue history will be a lasting reminder of their visit to the school”.