King’s Oak pupils take off with Airbus engineering challenge

The entire Year 9 cohort of King’s Oak Academy had an exciting opportunity to take part in engineering workshops delivered by Airbus.

Working in small teams, students were tasked with designing the interior of a commercial aircraft — a challenge that tested both their creativity and business acumen.

The workshop began with students assigning roles within their groups, mirroring a real-world project team. They then worked collaboratively to develop a design that balanced passenger comfort with profitability.

From selecting the right mix of seat classes to deciding on the number of toilets, cabin crew, and kitchen facilities; every choice had financial implications.

Once their designs were complete, students presented their plans to Airbus graduates, who helped calculate the final costings and projected profits.

The process encouraged students to think like engineers and entrepreneurs, considering not just the technical design, but also operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

The day concluded with a valuable Q&A session, where students had the chance to ask the Airbus team about careers in engineering and the diverse pathways into the industry. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to gain insights into real-world applications of STEM and to see how their interests could shape future careers.

Laura Phillips, Associate Assistant Principal for STEM said: “A great day was had by all, and our Year 9 students represented the school with maturity, enthusiasm, and pride. Well done, Year 9.”