BRITISH Science Week was launched at a secondary school with a special helicopter landing.

On Friday around 1,200 students at Wyvern St Edmund’s Learning Campus watched an H125 helicopter from QinetiQ land on the school field, to launch a week of science- based activities.

During the day students interested in a career in aviation had the chance to get into the cockpit of the aircraft, as well as meet test pilots, flight engineers and physicists.

Students waved the test pilot goodbye as the helicopter took off at the end of the day, circling the school before heading back to the site at Boscombe Down.

Lesley Still, head of ground operations at QinetiQ, said that opportunities like this bring Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) to life and "help to inspire, excite and enthuse".

She added: "We were delighted to respond to the request from senior teachers and arrange for one of our helicopters to pay a visit - after all, pupils from the school and college could be the next generation of scientists and engineers.

"Judging by the enthusiasm and inquisitive nature of the pupils, it is clear many of them are now considering a career in aviation, engineering or the military, which is very encouraging for the future.”

British Science Week ends tomorrow.