Schools design challenge winners want to improve sustainability and community in their local area
The winners of a Scotland-wide schools design challenge are celebrated in a new Streets Ahead display now open at V&A Dundee.
S1, S2 and primary school pupils were asked to redesign their local high street or shopping centre to create a more sustainable, inclusive and accessible experience as part of Streets Ahead, a design challenge supported by NCR Atleos Foundation.
The Streets Ahead project, launched by V&A Dundee in 2023, introduces pupils to the tools and techniques designers use to solve real-world problems, introducing young people to design skills and giving them confidence in their own creativity.
63 schools from 18 local authorities across Scotland registered to participate in this year’s challenge. The finalists attended a one-day design jam at V&A Dundee earlier this year where they worked with professional designers to develop their ideas before presenting them to a panel of expert judges.
The nine finalists featured in the free-to-visit display are Arbroath High School (Angus), Carnoustie High School (Angus), Forfar Academy (Angus), Glebelands Primary School (Dundee), Harris Academy (Dundee), Portlethen Academy (Aberdeenshire), St Paul's RC Academy (Dundee), Tarbert Academy (Argyll & Bute) and Williamwood High School (East Renfrewshire).
Each team worked with Sky Up Academy studios in Livingston where they became editors, producers, camera operators, script writers and reporters to create a short film in the format of a news broadcast about their idea. These films are on display in the museum alongside the prototypes.
The winning team, Tarbert Academy (Argyll & Bute), chose to design a Healing Garden, skatepark, and activity hub to create a welcoming space for all the community. Their design includes Argyll Food Vending Machines that would stock locally sourced hot and cold food, with free options for young people and people supported by foodbanks. By using sustainable materials and renewable energy, their design creates a safe, healthy, and inclusive place for everyone. They will now complete a week of work experience with NCR Atleos in Dundee.
Glebelands Primary School (Dundee) is the first primary school to be showcased in the Streets Ahead display and the pupils are now pursuing funding to make their design into a reality. They chose to redesign their school garden to bring the school and community together, adding a community children’s library (Ruby’s Reading Room) and a social enterprise café.
Layla, a pupil at Tarbert Academy, said: “I really enjoyed meeting our designer Jek and working with her to complete our project. I found the process of making our final 3D model very interesting and very fun as we had so many materials to work with. When we went to Sky Academy, I had to role of editor which I found great fun! Overall, I greatly enjoyed being part of Streets Ahead and I can’t wait to do our work experience at NCR Atleos in Dundee.”
Marion MacLean, Lead Teacher at Tarbert Academy, said: “Projects like this are transformational for our pupils. We are often isolated due to our location and miss out on these opportunities. Being able to bring the pupils further afield gives them the experiences they need at this early stage in their education. This is the second time we have entered the competition and have seen it evolve into something that has become an important part of our curriculum. To be crowned the winning team is absolutely amazing and it will be wonderful to work with NCR for our Tarbert Community.”
Gary Jamieson, Schools Development Officer at V&A Dundee, said: “Streets Ahead gives young people the opportunity to imagine the future they want to live in and begins teaching them the skills needed to design it. It’s inspiring to see them embrace the challenge and work together to bring their ideas to life through the design process.
“Real-world design challenges open up learning that feels relevant and exciting. They help young people recognise their own creative potential, develop transferable skills, and imagine new career pathways shaped by innovation, technology and culture.”
Leigh Duncan, Marketing Manager at NCR Atleos Foundation, said: “Partnering with V&A Dundee on this project since its inception has been incredible. It's inspiring to see this level of enthusiasm and talent from our future designers.
“With more than 600 employees working in research and development, STEM is central to how NCR Atleos innovates and grows. We are passionate about helping young people understand the value of STEM in education and empowering them to find their own path. Supporting students today means creating opportunities, skills, and innovators for tomorrow.”
Streets Ahead builds on the previous Schools Design Challenges V&A Dundee has ran since before the museum opened, giving school pupils the opportunity to work together on using creativity to solve problems which personally affect them.
The Streets Ahead display is free and open until 25 October 2026 at V&A Dundee.