9s Take Off at Thales

9th December 2025

 

Our Year 9 students had an unforgettable visit to Thales in Crawley, diving into the world of cutting-edge technology and engineering. The highlight? They got to fly and land an aircraft using a flight simulator - something even most Thales staff don’t get to try! It was a real test of skill and nerves, and the students loved every second.

They took part in speed networking sessions, firing questions at Thales apprentices to learn what life is like in the world of engineering and tech careers. From career paths to insider tips, the students gained valuable insights straight from the experts.

Next up was coding robots, where they programmed machines to complete tasks and for those with a creative streak, the CAD workshop was a hit. Students discovered how Computer-Aided Design is used in engineering to design everything from tiny components to massive structures.

It was a day packed with innovation, inspiration, and hands-on experiences that showed our students just how exciting STEM careers can be. A huge thank you to Thales for opening their doors and giving Year 9 a glimpse into the future!

Unfortunately there are no pictures from this visit - security was so high we weren't even allowed a photo outside the building!!