Year 12 Design & Technology students began the day at the Design Museum, with a focus on the Designer, Maker, User exhibition. This exhibition provides examples of designs over the past century that have either been influenced by the designer, further developed by manufacturing or inspired for the user, giving students valuable insight as they begin their A Level NEA projects.

Next stop was the architectural exhibition at the V&A Museum, not only reading and seeing varied examples of architecture, focusing on buildings, function, aesthetical appeal and use of materials, but the students were also able see great examples of model making to communicate the architects’ ideas. The group rounded off their day admiring the exclusive range of high-end home products at The Conran Shop, a store created by the late Terence Conran.

Year 13 A Level Design and Technology students attended the Design and Technology in Action event at the Emmanuel Centre. The day featured a series of engaging talks and demonstrations from industry experts and academics, covering topics such as sustainable materials, human-centred innovation, and cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing and digital prototyping.

The sessions were highly interactive, offering students a chance to explore real-world applications of design principles and understand how creativity and engineering intersect in modern industries.

Overall, the event was fascinating and gave our students valuable insight into potential careers and sectors within the design industry, inspiring them to think beyond the classroom and consider the diverse opportunities available.

Our A Level Art students had a fantastic time visiting The Saatchi Gallery to explore their exciting new exhibition. The range of contemporary work on display sparked lively conversations, quick sketches, and plenty of “what is this!?” moments. It was wonderful to see students so engaged as they absorbed everything from bold installations to thought-provoking mixed media pieces. We returned to school buzzing with ideas, ready to feed that inspiration into their upcoming projects.

Art Textiles students had a jam-packed research trip, gathering inspiration for both Year 12 and 13 projects. Starting at the Design Museum they explored iconic products and innovative environmental textiles designs. After a quick sketching session in Hyde Park, the group visited Harrods to study designer fashion brands, followed by the V&A and Natural History Museum.  A highlight was the costume department, featuring outfits from shows like Wicked and Six.

It was an unforgettable day full of creativity and inspiration for our talented cohort.