Three teams of young innovators from Harrogate Ladies' College are heading to London after reaching the finals of a prestigious national awards competition.
The school, which will become Duchy College from September 2026, has made history by securing three places in the finals of the TeenTech Awards.
Following the success of one team in 2025, all three Harrogate Ladies’ College entries submitted in 2026 were named finalists, making it the only Yorkshire school to reach the TeenTech Finals this year.
The projects focus on ethical innovation and research, tackling contemporary challenges through creative and sustainable solutions.
Among the finalists is PetMedD, a smart bandage designed to support chronic wound healing in dogs. The innovation produces hydrogel to aid recovery and can be monitored by pet owners through an app that tracks healing progress. The project was developed by Sophia Lo, Smilla Meister and India Thomas.
A second finalist, PurePasture, aims to reduce agricultural emissions through panels made from zeolite attached to fences surrounding cattle fields. The panels capture methane, which can then be recovered, regenerated and reused to help power factories. The project was created by Ruby McHale and Harriet Nolan.
The third entry, The Poverty Trap, is a research project exploring ways to improve living conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa by helping individuals overcome the cycle of poverty caused by inadequate resources and financial insecurity. The project was developed by Reewa Bennett, Eunice Leung and Ryanna Sin.
Principal Mrs Joanna Fox praised the achievements of all three teams:
“The dedication, commitment and creativity shown by each team is simply outstanding.
“We are exceptionally proud of all three teams and these results are testament to the school’s long tradition of championing careers in STEM for our pupils."
The success reflects the school’s strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with 52% of university applications from Harrogate Ladies’ College pupils in 2026 being for STEM-related courses.
That figure is double the national average for female STEM applications recorded in 2025.
The three teams will now travel to the TeenTech Finals at the Institution of Engineering and Technology in London, where they will present their ideas to judges and industry experts.
The projects have already received glowing feedback from the judging panel. They said:
“This is a thoughtful, rigorous and compassionate piece of research with clear real-world relevance and exceptional potential.
“I can’t wait to see this idea on Dragons Den!”
Harrogate Town sign Burnley youngster on loan
Harrogate drivers urged to submit footage of dangerous driving
Popular Dog Day returns to Himalayan Garden near Ripon
New Reformer Pilates studio to open in Harrogate
Work begins on Harrogate and York RSPCA's £2m animal home
Free bike repair event returns to Valley Gardens this weekend
Harrogate trains disrupted following death on railway
Businesses urged to sign up for Harrogate's Restaurant Week
Ripon MP warns over rise in unemployment-related benefits
New children's play area opens at Otley Garden Centre
Harrogate Town sign Middlesbrough midfielder on season-long loan
Harrogate adult learners prove it's never too late to achieve GCSE success
Ashville pupils celebrate GCSE success as new Sixth Form awaits
Police warning after counterfeit cash scam in Knaresborough
Outstanding GCSE results at one of Yorkshire's only all-girls schools
Volunteers transform children's play area at Harrogate hospital
Ripon market days see 31% increase in footfall
Harrogate pupils achieve best top-grade GCSE results in four years
Harrogate High head 'enormously proud' of school's GCSE results
Three new independent businesses join Halls of Ripon
