What One Teacher Learned at Dyson

Published 18th June 2025

The Design & Technology Association, in collaboration with the James Dyson Foundation, hosted a national CPD event at the Dyson campus in Malmesbury offering teachers from across the UK an opportunity to step inside one of the UK’s most innovative engineering environments.

The fully funded CPD day brought together D&T teachers for a deep dive into hands-on activities that explored gamification, engineering tasks, Micro:bit programming, and mechanical construction.

For Claire, a D&T teacher from a small independent school in Norfolk, the event was an exciting day of learning new things and refreshing existing skills. “It was a really nice day. It didn’t feel like a course, it was inspiring and energising. And the hospitality was amazing,” she shared. “I drove five hours to get there, and I’d do it again!”

Dyson’s Influence and Local Links

Claire’s school has a unique connection to the Dyson legacy. Just down the road from Gresham’s, where James Dyson was once a pupil, Claire teaches students who share the same roots and aspirations. “When I heard about this event through the D&T Association, I knew I had to attend.”

Tools to Teaching Inspiration

Throughout the day, Claire explored a range of workshops, from programming Micro:bits to gamification challenges and group prototyping sessions. “I’ve never done much with Micro:bits, but they were so simple and effective. Now I’m keen to use them in class and will apply for the BBC Micro:bit giveaway next year.”

Her highlight was a group challenge that involved building an interactive maze using Micro:bits and sensors: “It was very hands-on, and that’s how I like to teach. I always model the making process for my pupils, so this was right up my street.”

Claire also praised the opportunity to explore Dyson’s design facilities, including their prototype gallery and the Dyson Institute, where she was inspired by a talk from Ella Palethorpe, a young Dyson engineer. “She spoke so openly about her career path, from GCSEs to her current role designing packaging for health and beauty products and it was a really interesting presentation that pulled back the curtain on the career path of a Dyson engineer.”

New Tools

With limited space in her classroom, Claire has worked hard to build up her D&T provision including recently acquiring a laser cutter. “The CPD day gave me new ideas and also validated what I was already doing. It’s easy to feel isolated as a one-person department, but being around other teachers made me realise I’m doing alright!”

Claire is already planning to incorporate the gamification activity into lessons next term and hopes to link up with Dyson engineers for a virtual session or school visit. “The children would really benefit from hearing from young professionals like Ella,” she added.

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