Free polymer study tours for design & technology teachers 

Published 3rd March 2026

Design & Technology teachers are being invited to take part in the highly regarded Polymer Study Tours, free two-day residential courses designed to strengthen subject knowledge, spark classroom ideas and deepen understanding of the polymer and plastics industry. Open to both practising and trainee 11–19 teachers, these tours offer an engaging mix of expert input and practical experience that directly connects to the curriculum.  

Connect classroom learning with real industry 

The Polymer Study Tours combine lectures, hands-on practicals and industry site visits to bring polymers to life in a way that’s hard to replicate in schools. Sessions are delivered by passionate experts from industry and academia, with final discussions led by practising teachers focusing on how to apply new knowledge in the classroom. Teachers will explore the structure, properties and processing of polymers, applications across sectors and environmental considerations – helping to enrich their teaching and boost pupil engagement with real-world context.  

These courses have been shaped closely with input from design & technology teachers to ensure relevance to the 11–18 curriculum and practical classroom application, and all delegates receive a resource pack and electronic materials for classroom use after the tour.  

Supportive, practical and cost-effective 

Understanding the challenge of time out of school, the tours run across a weekend day and a weekday to make attendance more manageable. Thanks to generous industry sponsorship, places are free for teachers and include a contribution of up to £250 towards travel or supply cover costs.  

The 2026 tour dates and locations are: 

• Lancashire – 14 & 15 June 2026 (Victrex)  

• North East – 3 & 4 July 2026 (Biffa Polymers)  

• East Yorkshire – 6 & 7 November 2026 (Bericap)  

• Midlands – 27 & 28 November 2026 (AMCOR)  

Organised by a steering group from the Worshipful Company of Horners’, the British Plastics Federation and IOM3, the tours have been running since 1987 and continue to grow in popularity among teachers seeking high-quality professional development.  

For full details and booking information, visit iom3.org/pst.html