Tom Jacobs at Foster + Partners

Published 26th September 2025

Tom Jacobs, a BTEC Engineering and 3D Art & Design lecturer at Reigate College, took part in a unique ‘Teachers in Residence’ placement at Foster + Partners, one of the world’s leading architecture and design practices. Tom was delighted to join the programme this year, after spotting the opportunity through the Association newsletter and social media channels.

Reigate College is a Sixth Form college specialising in A-level and equivalent courses. It currently offers around 50 different courses at its campus a couple of minutes from Reigate town centre.

Tom’s route into teaching began with a background in industrial design, before he transitioned into education. In his current role, he delivers both BTEC Engineering and A-level Product Design and saw clear relevance for his students in both pathways from the Foster + Partners placement.

Immersed in Industry

Over the course of the placement, Tom was welcomed by staff across multiple departments, each giving their time generously. He was particularly inspired by the modelmaking workshop and the ‘Applied Research & Development’ team, where he saw first-hand how digital technologies such as digital twins are being used to optimise building performance, energy efficiency, and long-term management.

One of the biggest insights came from observing how teams with very different specialisms, from marketing to R&D to industrial design, work in close collaboration. “It was exciting to be back in an industry setting,” Tom reflected. “The scale, the complexity, and the range of expertise involved was amazing. It reminded me just how many career paths exist within architecture and design beyond becoming an architect.”

Industry and Classroom Links

The experience reinforced how closely industry workflows align with the processes students already practise in college. From collaborative design development to modelmaking, he could clearly see links with project-based learning on both his Engineering and 3D Design courses.

The placement has also given him fresh examples to share with students when discussing career pathways. Many learners assume “architecture” means only training to be an architect, but Tom now has real stories to tell about the breadth of opportunities, from specialist modelmakers to BIM managers, industrial designers and applied researchers. These insights can be relayed to students which will help them think about their own strengths and become more confident that their skills can transfer across many roles.

Reflections and Value

Tom described the placement as “refuelling”, a chance to reconnect with professional practice, explore the latest technologies, and bring renewed energy back to teaching. He highlighted the value of seeing how industry professionals problem-solve, collaborate, and innovate at scale, and the reassurance that many of the skills taught in the classroom map directly onto those needed in practice.

Above all, Tom sees the placement as a reminder of why industry links are so vital in education. “It’s one thing to teach design theory in the classroom. But being able to say, ‘This is how Foster + Partners do it, this is the technology they use, this is the scale of collaboration involved’ is powerful. It shows students that what they’re learning is real, relevant, and can take them places.”

For more information about how to take part, email: amelia.wright@designtechnology.org.uk