Students ‘fly’ to Mexico – without leaving college!

Foundation and SEND students got the chance to ‘travel’ to Mexico during a special day organised by the Tourism department at New City College Havering Sixth Form.

The Airport and Mexican Experience gave students the opportunity to try out the Departure Lounge area, go through Passport Control, Security and Immigration, before ‘boarding’ a flight to the resort of Cancun with Virgin Atlantic in the college’s iFly – a special life-sized replica airplane.

There were flight safety demonstrations, including using seatbelts, oxygen masks and life jackets, as well as how to follow emergency lighting – seen through the simulated smoke which is released in the aircraft during cabin crew training.

Next the students watched a Virgin Atlantic demo video and a film giving ideas on things to do in Cancun while being offered refreshments, goods and services from the cabin crew trolley.

After the ‘flight’ they went to the Arrivals Lounge where they were greeted with Mariachi music and a quiz about Mexico.

Travel & Tourism subject leader Kelly Griffin and teacher Lisa Barwick organised the experience. Lisa said: “All the Travel & Tourism students enjoyed taking part in this community experience and were assessed for their BTEC event unit.

“The SEND students arrived for their trip with homemade passports and fact sheets on Mexico and really got into the spirit of the experience.”