A FORMER pupil was on cloud nine after returning to her old school – in a helicopter.

Royal Navy lieutenant Sophie Beacham flew to Bolton St Catherine’s Academy to give a talk to youngsters about helicopters and life on the ocean waves.

Roads around the school were closed off as the helicopter landed at the school after earlier leaving its base at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall.

Lt Beacham, nee Butterworth, from Harwood, developed her ambition for a life at sea as a pupil at the school. She was just 14 and attended a careers convention where she spoke to naval officers and made her decision to join the Navy.

“I wanted to join the Royal Navy because I wanted to do something different and see the world," said Lt Beacham, who joined at the age of 17 and became an officer at the age of 25. "There is a career structure in place if you want to progress. I work with friends, who I have made for life and socialise with them. There is support for females who join the navy and go on to have families. You are supported so you don’t leave because it means the Royal Navy will lose those with experiences. Being in the Royal Navy is rewarding on every level.”

She said the job is extremely varied – one minute she could be in the office and at short notice she could be stationed in the Gulf.

“I liked the idea of going to sea, I have been to countries I would never otherwise have gone to. I sailed into New York, which was incredible, ” she said.

The naval officer spoke of the humanitarian work and the public service the Royal Navy provides on a daily basis.

Lt Beacham said: “I am not here to recruit, I wanted to come back to school and give something back.The school is completely different, it is new and modern. I want young people to think about what they want to do, they can achieve so much.”