MOD won’t stop flying over schools for exams

RESTRICTING military aircraft flying over UK schools for two months to avoid exam disruption would cause “significantly impact” on national security training, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The MOD was responding after a Gwynedd head teacher and a politician appealed for a reduction of RAF planes on exercise whilst pupils sat their GCSEs.

As reported in last week’s Herald, Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts had taken up the issue after Ysgol Botwnnog’s head Dylan Minnice, as well as teachers and students, had voiced concerns over noise disruption.

Mrs Saville Roberts had asked the MOD if it was possible to reduce the number of low flying Texan aircraft in the vicinity of the Llyn Peninsula school near Abersoch.

Mr Minnice had called for planes to avoid exercises around the school for a period of about four hours a day over a four week period, while Year 10 and 11 pupils sat their final GCSE exams which could “have an impact on their futures”.

Mrs Saville Roberts had urged the MOD to be “mindful” of the impact these operations had on local communities and to “enact measures to mitigate disruption where possible”.

Responding to their pleas, the MOD said the “essential skills” which are currently being used each day protecting NATO airspace in the Ukraine crisis could only be maintained through continuing training and practice in a “realistic environment”.

A spokesperson said: “We are keenly aware of the importance of examinations for students across the country.

“Unfortunately, restricting military aircraft activity for two months near schools across the whole of the UK would have a significant impact on defence’s ability to train those upon whom we rely for our national security.

“Training is strictly limited to what is absolutely essential for aircrew to achieve and maintain operational effectiveness.”