Trip
The secret life of sewers! A free educational trip like no other to one of Thames Water’s sewage treatment works.
Make a splash with a free school trip to one of our real-life working sewage treatment works! Led by our experienced education team and trusted education partners, we offer a range of classroom activities along with a detailed tour of the site. Students can find out what happens when you flush the loo – and how we treat waste and recycle it safely back to the environment.
Both the tour and accompanying classroom activities cover STEM learning as well as geography and the environment and can be tailored to support your scheme of work. We aim to give every single visitor a unique experience when they step on-site so our lessons are fun and interactive. Students are encouraged to discuss and debate ideas around water and sewer use and take part in hands-on experiments to learn all about the natural water cycle as well as the process water goes through before and after they use it.
Our tours provide a meaningful insight into the world of work and the opportunity to question employees about their career path while exploring a working sewage treatment works. We strive for each site to be accessible to all students and recommend that teachers book a pre-visit if there are concerns around access and special needs.
Each classroom is well-equipped for students from key stage 2, 3 and 4 and teachers can contact our team to ensure that the visit meets their curriculum needs.
Capacity
Dates and Location
You can visit our sewage treatment works in Didcot, Dartford, Deephams, Kingston, Maple Cross and Slough, or our angling academy in Walthamstow.
Duration
Sessions usually run from 10 am (10:30 am at Hogsmill) to 2 pm but can be made shorter if required.
Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
Improve attainment and progress in STEM subjects
Learning what the engineering workplace is like
Develop engineering employability skills
Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:
The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:
Listening - the ability to listen and understand information.
Problem Solving - the ability to find a solution to a complex situation or challenge.
Teamwork - working cooperatively with others towards achieving a shared goal.
What the teachers sayLog in to write a testimonialWe would love to read all about your time with this experience!
Interact with our employees and engage in a range of STEM-related activities linked to the rail industry.
STEM Ambassadors from a wide range of STEM-related jobs to help bring subjects to life.
Students can find out more about where your water comes from and what happens to your poo when you flush the loo!
Video Case Study
