Why are there electromagnets around a nuclear reactor, is it to give the atom direction ? Or maybe is it to help contain the radiation ? Or something else ?

I don't believe that commercial nuclear reactors have electromagnets - can you please provide a reference regarding this?

In trying to clarify I have answered the question thanks, it was neither of what I was thinking, but in fact they are there as a safety feature to shut down the core in an emergency, the electromagnets are there to hold plates in position if an emergency occurs they plates are release and drop into the core.

Information sourced from a M.I.T doc online ref. reactor core electromagnets "google"

OK, makes sense - much like automated fire door closure systems.