The LHC is in a massive tunnel underground with its 27km circumference straddling the French-Swiss border. More than 3,000 scientists work there and the trip covered sites in Switzerland and France. The Year 13 students also had the opportunity to explore Geneva’s shops, museums and Lake Geneva.

Andrei Kuzin said, ‘CERN is one of the most futuristic physics experiment sites in the world that gathers experimental data and statistical information about what happens to particles at high energy collisions. As it is linked with our physics curriculum I thought it might help me with my studies and applications to universities. I heard about many new topics which I was happy to research when we got back. It was just really interesting. I enjoyed talking to the PHD students the most as they were really motivational and interested in the subject.’

Keoni Southwick said ‘We learnt how particle accelerators work and about the different types of particles. To have seen it rather than have just read about it in a book helps you understand it a lot more and gives you the “why” and not just the “how” when you apply it to questions.’

Head of Physics Mr John Gilyead said ‘CERN is the largest experiment in the world; it’s creating particles that were present just after the Big Bang, so helps us understand how the universe started. CERN has scientists working there from all over the world, cooperating with each other. It helps students see how engineering and computing are able to support fundamental scientific research.’