Aviation might spark a more positive response from boys than the usual course book diet. As early as Year 7 it could be a stimulus for number practice (dimensions, speed, distances, passengers, costs), adjectives (size, colour) and geography (routes). At KS4, it could generate work on comparisons while a potted history lends itself to tense work.
Environmental issues, which feature on the A-level syllabus, would be equally appropriate for higher level GCSE candidates.
