Students from All Saints Academy Plymouth (ASAP) swapped the classroom for the world of elite motorsport during a visit to the headquarters of the Williams F1 team in Oxfordshire.

The Year 7s took part in a hands-on STEM workshop where they designed and tested a Formula One nose cone before presenting their ideas to Williams staff at the team’s Grove base.

The group also toured the Williams museum, tried out racing simulators and learned about the team’s history, which includes championship winning drivers such as Nigel Mansell, Keke Rosberg and Damon Hill.

Williams finished fifth in last season’s constructors’ championship, with drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz both securing top ten finishes in the drivers’ standings. The Grove factory, around 12 miles south west of Oxford, is where the team’s cars are built and prepared for each race.

The visit gave students a hands-on insight into careers in engineering, design and technology, and showed how classroom learning links to real-world industries. The school has a strong ongoing focus on motorsport and engineering, including its GreenPower team, which gives students regular opportunities to design, build and race electric cars while developing practical skills, teamwork and problem-solving.

At All Saints Academy Plymouth, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the curriculum combines academic study with practical and professional experiences, helping pupils prepare for apprenticeships, local industry, and higher education. The school also runs a wide ranging careers programme to help students explore future pathways and ambitions.

Scott Simpson-Horne, Head Teacher at All Saints Academy, said:

“The excitement on our pupils’ faces said it all. Opportunities like this allow young people to see where science, engineering and creativity can take them, and to imagine themselves working in industries like F1 one day. We are extremely grateful to parents and carers for their support, and to the Williams Racing team for such a memorable and inspiring visit.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: 

“Exciting experiences like this show how powerful learning can be when it moves beyond the classroom. Giving pupils access to world-class organisations helps raise aspirations, build confidence and open doors to future careers.”