Posted on / in 'If you were an engineer' Competition

South West England’s young inventors shine at Primary Engineer Awards 

Big ideas, brilliant inventions and the next generation of engineering talent took the spotlight at the University of the West of England on 3rd July, as pupils from across South West England gathered for Primary Engineer’s regional exhibition and awards ceremony. 

The celebration brought together curious, creative young problem-solvers who had taken part in the UK-wide “If you were an engineer, what would you do?” competition, delivered by educational not-for-profit Primary Engineer. The fully funded competition invites pupils aged 3 to 19 to interview an engineer, identify a real-world problem and design an invention that could make a difference. 

Every idea submitted is read and graded by engineering professionals, with each pupil receiving a personalised certificate in recognition of their work. Shortlisted designs are then considered by judging panels of leading industry and engineering experts, who choose the pupils celebrated at regional award ceremonies across the UK. 

At the South West England ceremony, guests explored an inspiring exhibition packed with shortlisted pupil designs before Highly Commended pupils and winners were invited on stage to receive trophies and framed certificates. In total, 36 pupils from schools and home-educated groups across the region were recognised for their imaginative engineering ideas. 

Nursery: 

  • Winner – Oscar the Friendly Dog by Maya K, Princecroft Primary School 

Reception: 

  • Highly Commended – Robot Watery by Sienna C, Princecroft Primary School 
  • Highly Commended – Tyranny by Rafael C, Crockerne Primary School  
  • Winner – Not Wet Gloves by Finley N, Princecroft Primary School 
  • Winner – Rescue Robot by Rowan D, Princecroft Primary School 

Year 1: 

  • Highly Commended – A Toy Maker by Abram T, Horfield CEVC Primary  
  • Highly Commended – Door Scanner by Lelethu D, Hopelands Prep School 
  • Winner – Fake Flower by Astrid B, Hopelands Prep School 
  • Winner – Swims Swims by Maida F, Sixpenny Handley First School 

Year 2: 

  • Highly Commended – 6S7R Tree Grower by Wilfred G, Deerhurst and Apperley  
  • Highly Commended – Apple Picker by Laily A, Peasedown St John Primary  
  • Winner – AL Hairband Grabber by Harriet B, Princecroft Primary School 
  • Winner – The Water Cleaner by Alexandra J, Hopelands Prep School 

Year 3: 

  • Highly Commended – Door-Flooder by Sam B, Deerhurst and Apperley  
  • Highly Commended – The Dibeta Robot by Mabel J, Sixpenny Handley First School 
  • Winner – The Petsocollar by Charlotte P, Princecroft Primary School 
  • Winner – A Solar Panelled Shelter by Jasper S, Huish Primary School 

Year 4: 

  • Highly Commended – Robodyctil, Jacob M, Herne View School 
  • Highly Commended – The Emotion Detector by Logan E, Princecroft Primary School 
  • Winner – Bread Perfection 5000 by Otto M, Hopelands Prep School 
  • Winner – The Buddy Bot by Mabel C, Hopelands Prep School 

Year 5: 

  • Highly Commended – Laser Shoe by Sienna F, Abbas and Templecombe Church School 
  • Highly Commended – Microtranslate by Emma R, Princecroft Primary School 
  • Winner – Ocean Saver by Grace d, Deerhurst and Apperley  
  • Winner – The Fatberg Breaker by Freddie W, The Kings School, Gloucester  

Year 6 

  • Highly Commended – Friends Forever by Ralph P, Farrington CofE Primary  
  • Highly Commended – R-Boots by Jack H, Powells CofE Primary  
  • Winner – Melody Machine by Zahara A, Deerhurst and Apperley  
  • Winner – The Click for Cancer by Penny P, Herne View School 

Year 9: 

  • Winner – Naisl by Brandon M, Wessex Lodge School  

Year 10: 

  • Winner – Buddy Bot by Nathanyl A, Wessex Lodge School  

Year 11: 

  • Winner – Reuseable Gum Tin by Jayden R, Wessex Lodge School  
  • Winner – Nighty Tighty by Olam W, Wessex Lodge School  

Year 12: 

  • Highly Commended – Mission Plastic Clear/Feeder by Tom B, Ravenswood School  
  • Winner – Swim Safety Scanner by Ella J, St Katherine’s School 

Year 13: 

  • Winner – Relapse Rolls by Myles W, Wessex Lodge School  

Among the pupils recognised was Freddie from The Kings School, whose invention idea, “The Fatberg Breaker”, received the special Judges’ Award. 

Each year, Primary Engineer’s university and industry partners select an idea from the previous year’s shortlisted entries to develop into a working prototype. This year two prototypes were unveiled at the ceremony, “The Super Sucking Machine” prototype brought to life by GKN Aerospace based on an idea by Ellis J from Welton Primary School and “Robotic Plow, Plant, Water, Machine (RPPWM)” prototype brought to life by Thales based on an idea by Barnaby S.B from Countess Gytha Primary School. 

Primary Engineer thanked its national and regional partners for fully funding the competition and helping bring engineering to life in classrooms across South West England. 

Photos from the day can be viewed in the full Facebook album: Primary Engineer | Facebook 

The 2026/27 competition is now open, offering more pupils the chance to imagine, design and share engineering ideas that could help shape the future. Teachers can register for full competition access and resources here: https://leadersaward.com/resource-area-registration/ 

Primary Engineer Public Exhibitions and Award Ceremonies continue across the UK throughout July, showcasing thousands of pupil-led engineering ideas. Find out more: https://leadersaward.com/exhibitions-and-events/