Originally the architect’s office during the building of our headquarters at Waterside, the British Airways Community Learning Centre at Heathrow has welcomed more than 58,000 visitors since it opened in 1999.
The centre primarily provides learning programmes for schools and community groups in and around the Heathrow area. The programmes focus on customer service training, languages, global and environmental education and ICT. All are designed around the theme of British Airways core business of aviation.
The centre also has links with the British Airways Museum and hosts artifacts dedicated to the history of British Airways.
Contact the Community Learning Centre.
Community Learning Centre ManagerClick on one of the headings from the list below to find out more about our programmes.
Languages for primary and secondary school students
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French, German and Spanish workshops are offered three times a week at the British Airways Community Learning Centre, to primary and secondary schools from the local community. Sessions aim to improve students' confidence in communicating in a foreign language and help them appreciate how languages are used by our employees. A mock aircraft helps to create an authentic and interactive training environment. Please see the attached flyers for more information.
Language and Cultural weeks are run once a year combining language learning, music, art and dance. Languages we have previously covered include French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese and Russian. February 2011 will focus on China and Chinese New Year. The aim is to promote awareness and tolerance of other cultures. We will be aiming the day at year 7 and 8 students with no previous knowledge of Chinese Mandarin. Any teachers interested in a fun, interactive and educational day should contact kath.curry@ba.com and Deborah.workman@ba.com
The British Airways Language Flag Award Scheme is a vocational oral language test, which is available to any school in the UK. The test complements GSCE coursework, promotes confidence in speaking and links languages at school with the world of work. The Flag Award will be including a London 2012 theme from January 2011 – December 2012. Approximately 2500 students take the Award each year. Please see the attached FAQ sheet and booklet for more information
Primary Language Programmes 2010-11. (PDF, 1MB)
Secondary Language Programmes. (PDF, 58KB)
Training dates for Flag Award new testers 2010-11.(PDF, 49KB)
ICT - "Explore the World of British Airways"
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Visit the learning centre for ICT programmes to suit the students' level:
Heritage (Key stage 2)
Discover more information on British Airways past and present using ICT in line with capability.
Around the World (BTEC, key stage 3)
Explore countries and continents and plan a journey to be presented back to peers.
Welcome to the world of ba.com! (IT Diploma)
What is ba.com used for and how does it benefit the business? Look at how this system has influenced BA bookings and prepare a presentation to present back on the day.
Not local to Heathrow?
The British Airways ICT Community Learning Programme enables students to develop their ICT skills whilst exploring the world of BA. Units are linked to the key stages and use factual information based on the world of travel. Available to schools who are not able to visit the Community Learning Centre.
Work can be rewarded with a certificate of achievement on submitting a sample of students work.
Working with the e-skills council we also have sessions linked with CC4G (Computer Club for Girls). Suitable for school group ages 10-14 with an existing or potential club.
If your school is interested in anything above please email the Learning Centre Manager.
ICT Around The World. (PDF, 56KB)
Customer service
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The Customer Service Programme is offered to secondary schools in the Heathrow area and is specifically aimed at students at Key stage 4. School groups attending these courses work on their communication skills and learn about the importance of good customer service.
Global education weeks
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Our global education weeks explore the various cultures of the many countries that we fly to. The primary school children who take part in these weeks engage in a series of practical activities which teach them about some of the social and environmental aspects of the country in focus.
Environmental education programmes
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We run a variety of environmental education programmes for primary and secondary schools located in the communities around Heathrow. The learning experiences are often within the rich resource of Harmondsworth Moor, adjacent to the Learning Centre. We also look at wider, topical issues such as recycling, climate change etc, encouraging children and young people to think about human activity and its effects. Educational programmes fully complement the national curriculum, and link with events such as National Tree Week.
School holiday programmes
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Our Learning Centre offers holiday programmes to children from play schemes and groups aged 5+ in the Heathrow area. These range from a flight experience in our mock aircraft cabin to practical sessions in our 240 acre parkland, fun ICT sessions and also global awareness programmes.
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