A new bursary being offered to local schools is allowing a lump-sum discount for a school’s travel to the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Europe’s largest collection of naval aircraft. The Society of Friends of the Fleet Air Arm (SoFFAAM) Travel Bursary offers full or part payment for travel to and from the Fleet Air Arm Museum, up to a maximum of £450 (+VAT) per primary school per academic year. 

This Travel Bursary is only made possible through the generosity of the Society of Friends of the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Malcolm Smith, the Chairman of SoFFAAM said “As the Chair of the Society of Friends of the Fleet Air Arm Museum, it gives me great pleasure to support the introduction of this Travel Bursary. The aim of the Friends is “the education of the public by promotion, support, assistance and improvement of the Museum”. When we were told that the numbers of organised school visits to this wonderful museum had fallen away, probably because rising travel costs made them difficult to fund, our Trustees voted for funds to provide assistance. We hope that more young people will be able to benefit from the exciting and educational experience that the Museum provides.” For more information about the organisation and its events, please visit: www.fleetairarmfriends.org.uk 

Aiming to target local schools with students whose families that may have been significantly affected by rising costs, this bursary is specially for primary schools in BA, TA, DT or SP postcodes with 15% or more of its students eligible for free school meals. The bursary is first come first served so schools are encouraged to apply ASAP if they are eligible. 

Elliott Bailey, Public Programming Manager at the Fleet Air Arm Museum said “This bursary will enable more young people than ever before to engage with the history of their local area, and the rich story of the Fleet Air Arm. We’re looking forward to welcoming those who have always wanted to come but have been stopped by the rising cost of living.” 

A trip to the museums allows schools to engage with the fascinating history of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, from wooden airplanes to modern fighter jets and aircraft carriers. There’s a range of school visits on offer, giving students the chance to learn about everything from materials science and the technology of planes, to the highly local history of Yeovilton’s connection to the Royal Navy. To learn more about the schools offering of the Fleet Air Arm Museum, and the bursary itself, please visit: https://www.nmrn.org.uk/learn/fleet-air-arm-museum-school-programme 

For those who aren’t visiting as part of a group, the museum still offers a fantastic range of history and aircraft relating to naval aviation. To purchase a year-long ticket please visit: https://www.nmrn.org.uk/buy-tickets/fleet-air-arm-museum