Course description
Overview
Engineering, Design and Technology is a hands-on course for students aged 13–17, combining technical creativity with real-world innovation.
About the course
Students experience the full design cycle, from identifying problems and generating ideas to prototyping and testing solutions. The programme places strong emphasis on collaborative project work, critical thinking, and the practical application of engineering principles. Using digital tools, physical modelling, and sustainable design practices, students learn to transform ideas into tangible outcomes.
Throughout each two-week Sprint, students undertake five design-led challenges linked to the Sprint’s theme, exploring areas such as mechanical systems, product engineering, sustainable design, architecture, and prototyping. The final challenge, the IMPACT Hackathon, brings together teams to present thoughtful solutions to pressing global issues introduced by visiting industry leaders.
Working in small, mixed groups drawn from across the courses, students apply the knowledge, skills and perspectives developed during the Sprint. Guided by the three pillars of sustainability; social, environmental and economic, they explore purposeful, creative solutions. The Hackathon enables students to contribute meaningfully, sharing their newly acquired skills and insights with clarity and confidence.
Course Aims
IMPACT Learning Model is our bespoke framework that defines the goals of education, methods, and outcomes students are expected to achieve. Powered by Impact’s Agile, Future-Ready Learning Model, students will:
Improve problem solving skills
Build creativity, precision, and problem-solving through agile sprints and challenges
Build new set of skills
Improve design thinking, prototyping, and technical presentation skills
Learn the power of collaboration
Collaborate in diverse teams with autonomy and continuous feedback
Nurture the inner voice
Strengthen ethical reasoning, sustainability awareness, and decision-making
Visit Universities
Explore academic pathways through university taster days and mentorship
Explore industry insights
Gain insight into engineering and design through industry immersion
See the bigger picture
Develop resilience and innovation for a changing world
Sprints Overview
A Sprint is an intensive, focused period of learning within the IMPACT programme, designed to immerse students in a series of structured academic and practical challenges. Each Sprint blends rigorous study with collaborative, team-based projects, encouraging students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and develop leadership skills.
Business experience
Business HQ and university experience with exclusive access to top institutions
Professional networking
Industry networking with professionals and changemakers
Pioneering speakers
Guest speaker talks from pioneers in their fields
Various workshops
Growth workshops across academic, personal, and leadership development
Daily challenges
Hackathons, pitching solutions to real-world problems
Range of activities
Life Skill activities such as flight school, football, graffiti and tennis
Purposeful leadership
Motivational speakers to inspire purposeful leadership
IMPACT Programmes at Tonbridge School does not hold classes on the holiday dates above. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.
Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.
