Transforming prototyping with the ChompSaw

Published 11th March 2026

At the Costello School, part of the Bohunt Education Trust, design and technology lessons are all about creativity, practical skills, and building confidence through making. For teachers, supporting students to prototype quickly and accurately is particularly crucial at KS4, where limited lesson time makes precision essential. The introduction of the ChompSaw has already made a noticeable difference in both the speed and quality of student work.

A game-changing tool for the classroom

Claire Young, Curriculum Team Leader (Technology), was immediately drawn to the ChompSaw when she first saw it. “I started imagining all the ways it could be used, especially for GCSE NEA coursework, where modelling with craft knives often doesn’t produce neat results,” she explains. After attending an online session by the Design & Technology Association, Claire was impressed by how intuitive and classroom-friendly the machines are.

Unlike cheaper alternatives, the ChompSaw is built to withstand daily classroom use. Its robust design ensures reliability, even under the pressure of multiple students working at once. “It feels solid, stable, and ready for everyday school use,” Claire notes.

Boosting precision and student confidence

Year 11 students quickly adapted to using the saws, gaining confidence as they experimented with their prototypes. Straight lines, curves, and intricate shapes became achievable with minimal effort, and students were proud of their cleaner, more professional outcomes. Year 9 pupils have also benefited, cutting card for perfume packaging projects with ease.

The saws have opened opportunities to expand material choice beyond card and grey board, with plans to explore foam core and even denim. Integrating ChompSaws into KS3 projects is also on the horizon, increasing students’ ownership of their work while developing practical skills alongside the laser cutter.

Transforming practical learning

Claire reflects that the ChompSaw has transformed modelling in her lessons. Students are more engaged, efficient, and confident, while teachers can support rapid prototyping without sacrificing quality. “Beyond creating models, these machines help students develop precision, skill, and a real sense of accomplishment,” she says. For any school looking to elevate hands-on learning, the ChompSaw offers a practical, engaging classroom upgrade.

Teachers can access the PDF version of this article, featured in DT Practice 1 2026 below and download their digital copy of the magazine here.