How a prize-winning school took 90 pupils to the British Grand Prix

The trip was planned as part of our wider STEM enrichment programme and was designed with clear educational objectives. The purpose of the visit was to enable students to experience real-world STEM concepts, by observing engineering, technology and teamwork within Formula 1.

Students were able to see live on-track action from Formula 1 alongside multiple support series including Formula 2, Formula 3, and the F1 Academy Series. This allowed students to understand the pathway within professional racing.

First-hand observations and career inspirations 

The visit gave students the unique opportunity to experience STEM principles at the highest level of motorsport. Rather than viewing STEM as something only found within a classroom, pupils witnessed how physics, aerodynamics and engineering can be applied in a high-performance environment.

Visiting on the Friday, rather than Sunday, proved particularly valuable, as students observed teams using practice sessions to collect data, refine car setups and prepare for Sprint Qualifying. They then observed how these adjustments influenced performance.

The trip also highlighted to students that success in motorsport depends on a wide range of STEM careers, including engineers, designers, data analysts, strategists and logistics teams. This helped students appreciate the breadth of opportunities available within STEM which are beyond the role of the driver.

Bringing STEM principles to life 

Whilst watching the different racing categories, students observed clear differences in performance as well as changes in engineering complexity. This helped students to understand how STEM principles evolve as drivers and teams move up through the motorsport hierarchy. Pupils could easily identify the difference in speed between the junior formula and the main event.

Some of the pupils could also explain why this was possible, commenting on the difference in size of the front and rear wing, the tyres and the complexity of the sidepods. Pupils could visually see the difference in acceleration between the naturally aspirated V6 utilised in Formula 3, compared to the 1.6L V6 Turbo-Hybrid engines in Formula 1.

“These experiences are genuinely life changing: they broaden horizons, build confidence, and bring classroom learning to life in ways that cannot be replicated within school walls.” 

School Trip Champion, Dave Cook 

Part of a broader learning programme 

Importantly, the Silverstone trip should not be viewed as a standalone experience, but rather as one part of a broader and carefully sequenced STEM curriculum offered by Lift Tendring. Alongside this visit, students have access to a wide range of opportunities designed to extend their learning beyond the classroom.

These opportunities include working on our Lift Tendring Greenpower F24 racing car, attending STEM after-school sessions, and participating in educational visits that explore different aspects of engineering and motorsport outside of the classroom.

Collectively, these opportunities are designed to build progressively on students’ knowledge and skills, allowing them to see how STEM principles are applied across a range of different environments and cultures. The Silverstone visit, therefore, formed the climatic conclusion to the first phase of our STEM journey.

Inclusivity and success of the visit 

The trip promoted inclusion by providing an incredible experience for students from a wide range of backgrounds, including those with SEND, those eligible for Pupil Premium funding, and students with English as an additional language (EAL).

The trip was led by myself and Mr Pryer, whose organisation and planning ensured the trip ran smoothly and safely. Staff worked together to supervise students, support engagement and encourage pupils to reflect on the STEM concepts being observed throughout the day.

Overall, the trip was an incredible success. All 90 students and 14 staff thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The engagement and enthusiasm demonstrated by all students throughout the day was exceptional.

As a teacher, I could not have been prouder of the way our pupils managed to navigate at a venue with more than 100,000 people attending on Friday alone. The opportunity to see F1 in the real world left a lasting impression, helping to reinforce the value of STEM learning and the prospects of future careers in the field.