STUDENTS have been inspired to reach for the sky by the memory of a pilot who lost his life pursuing his dream job of aerobatics.

A group of Year 8s from Northallerton School and Sixth Form College spent a morning involved in activities designed to boost their self-esteem and hone their team-building skills.

Andy Bowden, youth liaison officer with the Jon Egging Trust, worked with the students using construction kits in an exercise that developed key life skills and communications while improving self-confidence.

The trust was launched to inspire young people in honour of Jon Egging, a Red Arrows pilot who was killed in 2011when his Hawk jet crashed at the Bournemouth Air Show.

Sessions in the classroom will be followed by a trip to RAF Leeming for an insight into its work.

Student Lucy Salkeld, 12, said: “It has been a great experience. Working together has been good fun and it also gets us talking and making new friends.”