Pupils from St Martin’s School in Caerphilly will travel to Silverstone today (Friday, 4 July) for a special behind-the-scenes visit, after winning an international STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) challenge.
The school took part in the British Council’s Learning Sectors programme, supported by Formula1, which connects schools across the UK, South Africa and India to solve real-world STEM challenges.
Partnered with Hoërskool Koffiefontein, located in the small farming town of Koffiefontein, in the Free State Province of South Africa, the students were challenged to explore urgent issues affecting their respective communities. The South African pupils highlighted a particularly serious concern: their town was receiving just three hours of water a day due to ageing infrastructure and damaged supply systems.
Through regular video calls and messaging, the pupils in Wales saw the impact of the crisis firsthand and began researching a range of possible solutions – from alternative repair materials to community-led maintenance models. They also explored wider issues such as land ownership, public funding and political responsibility. Drawing inspiration from NGOs and international aid organisations, they produced a comprehensive plan that addressed both technical fixes and the broader social and economic context.
While the St Martin’s pupils focused on the South African water crisis, their partner school in Koffiefontein took on a UK-based challenge – the current cost of living crisis and how to reduce energy and heating costs. This two-way exchange helped students develop a deeper understanding of global challenges, empathy for others’ experiences and skills in collaborative problem solving.
Lead teacher Francisco Lopez reflected on their winning project’s impact. He said: “What started as a small school project quickly grew beyond expectations. The students worked independently, reached out to experts such as Welsh Water, and developed not just one idea but a range of thoughtful, realistic solutions. They learned that global issues like water scarcity aren’t just engineering problems – they involve people, politics and empathy.
“One of the most moving moments was seeing our pupils witness the optimism and resilience of their South African peers. It transformed how they view inequality – not as something to pity, but as something to solve together.”
Describing the moment the team learned they had won, Francisco said: “I was over the moon – especially for the students. I ran to tell the headteacher. The competition across the UK was fierce, and honestly, I didn’t expect to win. I had to read the announcement email twice. This is a memory they’ll carry for the rest of their lives.
“The pupils themselves were also stunned by the news – Some are big F1 fans and they couldn’t believe they’d be VIP guests.”
As part of their prize, the St Martin’s team which consists of four boys and four girls, will now visit Silverstone for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience. They’ll meet Formula1 engineers, explore the paddock, and see firsthand how STEM is applied at one of the world’s most famous sporting venues.
Francisco hopes the experience will open new horizons for his pupils. He said: “Not all our pupils dream of becoming engineers, but this project shows them STEM is everywhere – from communication and logistics to project management and politics. Formula1 brings all these together in a dynamic, international environment. It’s a powerful way to connect passion with future career opportunities.”
Through Learning Sectors, the aim is to reach 700 schools across the world in the first year of the programme.
Congratulating the school on their achievement, Ruth Cocks, Director, British Council Wales, said: “It’s fantastic to see a school from Wales win a UK-wide competition – a real testament to the creativity, commitment, and global outlook of the pupils and staff at St Martin’s.
“This project perfectly reflects the aims of the Learning Sectors programme – fostering global collaboration, creativity, and practical problem-solving. The judges were particularly impressed by the depth, originality and teamwork shown in the students’ proposal.
“It’s also inspiring to see young people from different parts of the world working together on such urgent and complex challenges. We hope the pupils at St Martin’s have a fantastic experience at Silverstone, and that it sparks new ideas about their future pathways.”
Schools from across Wales can now apply to be part of the next round of the Learning Sectors Programme. Applications are open until 12 September. To find out more visit: https://www.britishcouncil.org/school-resources/learningsectors
