Opened by BRDC President Damon Hill in January 2007, the Silverstone Study Centre is the UK’s first ever motorsport based study centre. Situated at Silverstone Circuit, in conjunction with the Northamptonshire County Council and DfES.

The centre demonstrates the power of working with community partners to engage, enrich and empower children and young people in the learning process. The study centre aims to develop activities to promote motivation and development throughout the primary and secondary education, up to and including 6th form level. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to use a motor sport setting and a wide range of activities and events to raise awareness of safety, environmental and health issues. The interactive sports environment coupled with personalised learning programmes means that we are able to meet the educational, social and cultural needs of each and every visitor.

The internal structure of the study centre has been specifically designed to mirror the circuit itself, with unique features including specially designed grandstand seating complete with desks, a special effects ‘bridge’ across the room - encompassing automated lighting, a projection screen, sound, a wind machine, a smoke machine and aroma canisters — and an interactive replica of the Silverstone F1™ Circuit is used in the flooring design.

The key programme delivered at the study centre is the highly successful Playing for Success initiative which uses the medium and environment of sport to raise standards in literacy, Numeracy Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The programme is free of charge and is delivered out of school hours and caters for 9-14 year olds who are at risk of underachieving, using the stimulus of sport to motivate them. Children can access high quality learning resources and explore and experience the latest PC and Apple technology, including Mac Books with i-Life software, i-Pods, i-Talk and a range of digital photography and media software.

The high-tech study centre is also ideal for school trips, and can be especially beneficial for those studying business related subjects. Specially designed sixth form activity days have already proven to be a huge success with fun and educational activities created to help stimulate and develop young minds.

In carrying out its work, the study centre has formed partnerships with other agencies and providers, such as the National College of Motorsport (NC4M), to develop a joined-up approach to delivering sustainable programmes and projects. Examples include Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing and group education and vocational studies for the 14 – 19 year age group. The partnership with NC4M partnership was demonstrated at the DfES National Conference with the delivery of several workshops using the ICT equipped Motorsport transporter.

If your school is interested in finding out how The Silverstone Study Centre can create a programme of activities for a group of students please contact the study centre manager Peter Ford on 01327 320401 or email.