--- title: "RAF Pilot visits Riverside School" url: "https://riverside-secondary.com/news/2015-01-14-raf-pilot-visits-riverside-school" school: "Riverside Secondary School" --- [Click here to apply for Riverside 6th Form](https://riversideschool.applicaa.com/year12) # RAF Pilot visits Riverside School ![Image of RAF Pilot visits Riverside School](https://files.schudio.com/riverside-secondary-school/images/news/383.jpg) 14 January 2015 “On Tuesday 13th January, the Year 7s at Riverside had the privilege of welcoming Flight Lieutenant Ben Goodwin to their assembly. Ben is a combat pilot in the RAF, who has flown a variety of fighter planes all over the world during a long career. Originally born in Sydney, Australia, Ben spoke with the Year 7s about motivation, determination and not letting big setbacks (for example being rejected by the Australian Air Force) get in the way of their dreams and ambitions. He also dispelled some myths about the military, and informed our pupils of the vast array of careers there is in this sector. Ben presented a very stimulating and unique video of himself flying across the UK and spoke about the five years of intense training he completed in order to become an RAF officer. He ended his visit by fielding a range of excellent and thought provoking questions. We thank Ben for taking the time out to visit our school and wish him all the best for the future.” ![](https://riverside-secondary.com/images/383a.jpg) [ Students raised £333.40 in aid of the Ebola crisis](https://riverside-secondary.com/news/2014-12-19-students-raised-333-40-in-aid-of-the-ebola-crisis) [Year 9 Girls Begin Defence of National Handball Title ](https://riverside-secondary.com/news/2015-02-09-year-9-girls-begin-defence-of-national-handball-title) ![Riverside Secondary School](https://files.schudio.com/riverside-secondary-school/images/logo/Logo_Footer.png) ### Riverside Secondary School Renwick Road Barking IG11 0FU 0203 946 5888 ### Social Media - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/riverside_campus/) [![Partnership Learning](https://files.schudio.com/riverside-secondary-school/images/logo/AAAPartnership-Learning_white.png)](https://partnershiplearning.com) © Copyright 2026 Riverside Secondary School School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://riverside-secondary.com/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)