We were delighted to welcome pupils from Maryport CofE Juniors to our Flimby headquarters for a memorable and inspiring visit organised through the Primary Business Partnership.
The group showed real dedication, walking all the way from their school to Forth and back – a 90-minute round journey – and still arriving full of enthusiasm and curiosity.
Our Business Liaison Manager, Ken Johnston, spent the day speaking with the pupils about who we are, what we do, and the important role engineering plays in solving real-world challenges. From advanced manufacturing to problem-solving in complex environments, the children were genuinely engaged and asked thoughtful questions about the technology behind our operations. They were a real credit to themselves and their school.
A highlight of the visit was a live ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) demonstration delivered by the Sellafield ROV Team. The team is currently collaborating with Sellafield Ltd, Forth and the TDA on an exciting joint project.
The pupils were able to see the technology in action and experience first-hand how innovation, collaboration and precision engineering come together to deliver real solutions. For many, it was their first glimpse into the world of subsea robotics – and it certainly made an impression.
At Forth, we are passionate about inspiring the next generation and helping young people understand the opportunities that exist right on their doorstep. Engineering offers diverse, rewarding and impactful careers, and visits like this are an important way of sparking interest early.
Perhaps we even met one of our future team members during the day.
Following the visit, the pupils sent us a wonderful collection of thank-you cards and drawings, proudly showcasing what they had learned. Their messages were thoughtful, enthusiastic and insightful.
Ken said: “It was such an unexpected thank you and it meant a great deal to us. I was incredibly impressed with what they had retained from their visit. They would be welcome back anytime.”
Some of the pupils shared: “Thank you for letting us come and visit. It was very cool. I always drive past and never know what’s inside. It was very interesting to hear how you solve problems.”
“Since the visit I have thought more about Forth Engineering and what it is doing to help the planet.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed walking to and around Forth Engineering. It was fantastic. I loved that robotic machine that goes under the water – it was zooming very fast and it was insane how much it costs.”
The workshop was organised by Primary Business Partnership, delivered by Centre for Leadership Performance, funded by OneAIM JV and Sellafield Ltd SiX- Social Impact Multiplied.
Claire Johnson, Primary Programme Manager said: “Experiences like this can spark curiosity and confidence in children that last a lifetime. By adopting the Maryport Cluster and committing to offer on-site visits to all the local schools, Forth are showing what real community leadership looks like. We’d love to see more businesses step forward in the same way – if you’re interested in adopting a cluster and making a real difference, please get in touch.”
Ken added: “We would like to thank Maryport CofE Juniors for making the effort to visit us and for their brilliant engagement throughout the day. We look forward to welcoming more local schools in the future as we continue to showcase the power of engineering in Cumbria.”
