Connect – Spring 2026
Thank you for taking the time to read the printed leaflet you received in the post, and for scanning the QR code to discover more.
By taking some of our content online, which we started from the autumn 2024 edition, we’ve been able to reduce the printing associated with each Connect by more than 50%, supporting our environmental goals.
Have your say on future construction work at AWE
We’re planning for the future, and we’d like to hear from you. As a local resident, we’re inviting you to find out more about our Future Materials Campus construction programme, ask us questions, and share your views.
Aldermaston Park now under AWE’s guardianship
The Ministry of Defence has purchased Aldermaston Park, a 139-acre site on the northern boundary of AWE Aldermaston. This is a further demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the nuclear deterrent.
REPPIR resources for local residents
Explore the digital version of the Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations (REPPIR) to learn how you would be alerted to an emergency at one of our sites, actions to take, and view an online map of the emergency planning zones.
The REPPIR leaflet is issued to local residents every three years. West Berkshire Council is in the process of distributing new leaflets to local residents, so keep an eye out for this in the post.
Local students visit Orion laser facility
In December 2025, our Orion laser facility opened its doors to local schools for the first time. Students from years 11 and 13 were nominated by their teachers, based on their passion for STEM subjects, to take part in a hands-on workshop experience.
AWE’s Orion team and STEM Ambassadors developed a number of activities, aligned to the national curriculum, to bring to life the science behind firing the laser. These focused on target fabrication, laser optics, and pulse power.
45 students attended during the week, and feedback from them was incredibly positive. They were all able to link the activities to their studies in school, and 87% said they would consider applying to work at AWE as a result of the visit.
Their teachers were equally enthusiastic – all nine said it met their needs, and they’d recommend the opportunity to others.
52,173 students reached this year – and still going!
We’re proud to have sustained our significant STEM engagement with schools – reaching over 50,000 students for the third academic year in a row! We’ve delivered 238 sessions across 182 events, connecting with 263 different schools in the process.
We owe a lot of thanks to our STEM Ambassadors – 179 of them have volunteered their time this year to make this possible. As of the end of May, we’ve reached 52,173 students across primary schools, secondary schools and colleges – and the academic year isn’t over yet!
If you’d like to make an enquiry with our Community and Schools team, use the button below to contact them.
Supporting Parents and Children Together (PACT)
Since raising £27,500 for Parents and Children Together (PACT) in 2025, we’ve continued to drive support for – and awareness of – our charity partner and its incredible work.
At the end of May, several AWE employees ran the Green Park Reading 10K to raise money for PACT. Throughout the same month, we also encouraged our people to take part in Marathon in May – PACT’s annual challenge to complete a marathon distance during the month, in manageable chunks, in any way that suits them.
With a strong focus on both physical and mental wellbeing, members of our Executive team led the charge, walking and talking about PACT – and life in general – with AWE colleagues across our Aldermaston and Burghfield sites.
Over 1,000 young people reached at Get Inspired Basingstoke
We were proud to sponsor Get Inspired Basingstoke 2026 – an opportunity for young people to speak directly with employers, and understand how the subjects they study today translate into potential career paths.
New Year Honours for three at AWE
Please join us in congratulating Andrew McNaughton CBE, Dr Philip Ind OBE, and Andrew Salter BEM – all recognised in the New Year Honours for their exceptional contributions and dedication to their fields.
