Following the success of our first North East Polymer Study Tour in 2024 we are looking forward to returning to Biffa Polymers in 2025 and the Tour dates will be announced in due course.
The course starts on Friday morning with an introduction to the company and tour of the site. After lunch we will look at how you can make your polymer teaching more engaging with a series of talks and practicals linking to the curriculum. The second day will feature more information to boost your subject knowledge and an important session, led by a practicing teacher, on how you can use the information from the course in your lessons.
What is covered on the course?
Day 1 - Friday
1015 Arrival at Biffa Polymers and refreshments
1030 Welcome and introductions
1045 Biffa Polymers – who we are and what we do
1115 Comfort break
1130 Company Tours
1300 Lunch
1345 Introduction to polymers – structure, properties and processing
1530 Break
1545 Applications of polymers
1630 Depart to hotel, check in and get settled
1900 Conference dinner
Day 2 - Saturday
0900 Travel back to Biffa Polymers
0930 Introduction to day 2
0945 Practical activities (with chance for a break)
1230 Lunch
1315 Polymers and the environment
1400 Product analysis exercise
1445 How you can use what you have learnt
1515 Feedback and discussion
1530 Course closes and depart
Where will the course be held?
Both days of the course will be based at the Biffa Polymers plant in Seaham, with overnight accommodation provided in a nearby hotel.
Biffa Polymers
Foxcover 9, Seaham, SR7 7DN
You can find out more about the company here.
After the formal sessions have concluded we will move across to the hotel where we have arranged dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation. If you are feeling really keen you might want to bring your swimming costume or gym kit as we are located right on the sea front!
The Seaburn Inn
Whitburn Road, Seaburn, Sunderland, SR6 8AA
You can find out more about the hotel here.
All refreshments and meals will be provided so please let us know of any dietary requirements when you register for your place.
If you are travelling by public transport we will store your bags securely throughout the day.
What about travel arrangements
We have tried to make it as easy as possible for you to get to and from the course using public transport. The Biffa Polymers site is a roughly 10 minute taxi ride from Seaham railway. For those travelling by public transport we will arrange your transfer to and from the hotel and from the site back to the station once the course has finished.
If you would prefer to travel by car there is car parking available at the Biffa Polymers site, though we accept no responsibility for any loss, theft or damage to your vehicle or its contents during the course.
2025 North East Polymer Study Tour at Biffa Polymers
Dates will be announced in due course.
