Sixth Formers Surprise Mr. Leddington with Dream Flight in Vintage Aircraft
On Saturday 7 September, Mr. Leddington, former Head of Sixth Form, had the unforgettable experience of flying a vintage RAF training aircraft, fulfilling a lifelong dream. The surprise gift was organised by the Sixth Form students to honour Mr. Leddington’s 10 years of dedicated service as Head of Sixth Form before he stepped down earlier this summer.
The surprise came during a summer term party, where among the thoughtful gifts, one stood out: a flight in a vintage aircraft from Biggin Hill. The key organisers of this heartwarming gesture were the Sixth Form students and parents: Mrs. Van de Rijse, Mrs. Hori, and Mr. Windover. It was Mr. Windover who not only helped arrange the experience but also accompanied Mr. Leddington on the flight as the co-pilot and instructor.
On the morning of 7 September, Mr. Leddington arrived at Biggin Hill with his daughter for the special flight. Greeted by Mr. Windover, they performed pre-flight checks on the aircraft before taking off on an hour-long adventure that covered local landmarks including Leeds Castle, Brands Hatch, and even offered a stunning view of the London skyline. In a particularly memorable moment, their flight banked over the school, allowing Mr. Leddington a unique view of the place where he had spent so many years guiding students.
A highlight of the experience was when Mr. Windover handed over the controls, giving Mr. Leddington the chance to pilot the aircraft for a short while—an emotional moment for someone who had once dreamed of becoming a Royal Navy pilot.
Upon landing, Mr. Leddington was greeted by a group of Sixth Formers who had gathered at Biggin Hill as a final surprise to witness the culmination of their gift.
Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Leddington said, "The entire experience was something I had always wanted to do. When I was a Sixth Former, I wanted to be a pilot in the Royal Navy, and if that had happened, the plane that I would have trained in was the plane we went up in. It was one of the dreams I’d always had and I didn’t think it was going to happen. So to do that was a life journey completed. I'm hugely appreciative of the Sixth Form for putting this gift together—it was a dream I wanted to achieve and will be something I will never forget.”
Now, Mr. Leddington is looking forward to his new roles as Head of Business and Economics and Head of Lullingstone Kites House. He expressed excitement about building more in these areas and continuing to support the students in new capacities.
The Sixth Formers' gift was a fitting tribute to a teacher who had spent a decade helping students soar—both in their academic endeavors and beyond.
