A Level students from Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) excelled during a unique educational tour through Hinkley Point C (HPC), the nuclear power station under construction in Somerset.
The trip provided students studying subjects such as Business, Economics, Maths, Physics, and Chemistry with an unparalleled opportunity to witness one of Europe’s most significant infrastructure projects first-hand.
The day commenced with the students meeting their tour guides and receiving their security passes – a necessary step before arriving to the state-of-the-art nuclear facility.
On arrival to the Hinkley Point Visitor Centre, a presentation covered important security procedures, such as ID verification. Following this, students began their exploration by immersing themselves in interactive exhibits and displays, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the HPC project, its technological advancements, and its long-term impact on the UK’s energy landscape.
After a short break, students boarded a specially arranged Specialist Passenger Solutions (SPS) bus which provided a unique vantage point to appreciate the scale of the project. This led the students to the most anticipated part of the day: the guided tour of the HPC construction site itself.
The guided tour provided students with a close-up view of the ongoing construction, engineering marvels, and the sheer complexity of building a modern nuclear power plant.
The visit allowed the students to connect their classroom learning directly to real-world applications. Business and Economics students could grasp the project’s financial magnitude and regional economic impact, whilst Physics and Chemistry students gained insights into the principles of nuclear energy generation.
For Maths students, the visit offered a tangible demonstration of large-scale logistics and problem-solving in action.
Liz Nuttall, Head of A Levels, said,
This visit was an invaluable experience for our students. Seeing the sheer scale of HPC and learning about the technology involved brought their studies to life in a way that a textbook simply cannot.
Visits and trips such as these clearly demonstrate BTC’s drive for connecting in-class academic studies to their real-world application, opening eyes to what their future in the workforce can look like.
The visit reinforces BTC’s commitment to experiential learning, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical industry experience. It also highlights HPC’s role as a vital regional and national asset, providing not only clean energy, but also educational opportunities.
BTC expresses gratitude to EDF and HPC for facilitating the visit and providing students with such an exciting and informative opportunity.
For more information on A Levels and BTC’s multitude of educational offerings, please visit www.btc.ac.uk or get in touch with the Information & Advice team by emailing info@btc.ac.uk.
