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Pateley teen wins engineering award after creating unique gritter attachment

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 12:04

Harry Peel (centre), Beccy Sanderson (Senior Programme Manager) and teacher, Mr Clemmett.

A Nidderdale High School student has received national recognition for an innovative engineering project designed to tackle a real problem on his family's farm.

Harry Peel, from Pateley Bridge, was presented with The Royal Academy of Engineering Excellence Award for Outstanding Pupil (Age 12–16) at the 25th Annual Design and Technology Awards, held at the Triumph Visitor Experience in Hinckley.

The award recognises Harry’s ambitious Year 11 GCSE Design and Technology project, in which he designed and built a bespoke gritter attachment for his ATV.

He developed the idea in response to issues faced on the farm, where icy conditions can prevent feed wagons and vehicles from accessing the lane - leading to wasted produce and financial losses.

Drawing on techniques observed during a visit to Econ, a professional gritter manufacturer in Ripon, Harry analysed existing technologies before developing his own solution.

He reused materials already available on the farm and employed both 2D and 3D modelling to refine his design into a safe, efficient and fully functioning product.

His project met all three Eduqas design contexts: improving safety, supporting net-zero goals through reuse and recycling and helping sustain farming as a cultural tradition.

Judges praised Harry for his ability to justify each design choice and clearly explain the function of every component. He achieved a top score of 100%.

The project featured as part of Nidderdale High School’s annual Design Area of Learning Exhibition, which showcased work across Art, Photography and Design Technology. The event was well attended by families and community members, offering a chance to celebrate students’ achievements and inspire younger learners.

Harry discusses his design and the awards experience in a YouTube feature, available here:

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