Teach Design Engineer Construct!
‘DEC’ is the learning programme that brings the Built Environment into your classroom

Teachers from ALL subject areas are preparing children and young people for exciting careers in architecture, engineering and construction – with real-world DEC projects and qualifications

We support you every step of the way as you learn to teach DEC

TEACHER TRAINING

Personalised for you

DEC SCHOOL

Access to teaching resources

TEACH MEETS

Learn with a global network

DEC AWARDS

Most schools start with DEC Awards – small projects that immerse children and young people in the exciting world of the Built Environment.

Your students learn to design, engineer and construct a range of extraordinary buildings and structures, from designing a Jamie Oliver restaurant, to live music venues and community health facilities.

Fully resourced and supported STEM/STEAM projects
DEC Awards can be embedded in your timetable, and are also ideal for school clubs, enrichment activities and home learning.

SEE ALL OUR DEC AWARDS >

We’ve teamed up with the Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group to launch an exciting DEC Award for schools that combines food, creativity and sustainability with careers in the Built Environment.

DEC QUALIFICATIONS

We offer formal study programmes for students age 14+ leading to Design Engineer Construct! qualifications that are highly respected by leading employers and universities.

Students advance their knowledge and discover real-world applications of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths through our strong industry and academic links.

Fully resourced and supported for qualification success
With support from our team, teachers can deliver DEC from foundation to intermediate and advanced level, just like Katie in our video.

DEC QUALIFICATIONS – LEARN MORE >

A huge thank you to Mrs Ferreira, DEC Teacher at Les Quennevais School and her Year 9 students for making this inspiring film.

PRIMARY DEC

Primary DEC is an exciting new learning programme for 4-11 year olds

Bring your curriculum to life with a ready-to-teach STEM programme that empowers children to explore how the world is built – and how they can help make it more sustainable.

FULL OF FUN!
FULLY RESOURCED!

DEC PRIMARY – LEARN MORE >

Hear from Uptown International School how they introduced Primary DEC to their pupils.

DEC IN ACTION – TEACHER AND STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

HELP International School, Kuala Lumpur: Building future-ready learners through DEC

HELP International School introduced DEC in 2024 to provide students with authentic, real-world learning experiences that would develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in an increasingly complex world. Today, DEC is embedded across both Primary and Secondary phases, engaging learners through industry-inspired projects that connect STEM learning with architecture, engineering and construction.

READ FULL CASE STUDY

DEC Team2026-05-06T15:04:09+00:00

From school to site: How DEC opened the door to my Construction career

DEC Alumni

DEC Team2026-05-06T15:04:24+00:00

Finding my path: How DEC led me to a career in Geospatial Surveying

DEC Alumni

DEC Team2026-06-01T13:43:09+00:00

From A levels to Architecture: How DEC gave me a head start

DEC Alumni

Book a DEC DISCOVERY CALL

Chat about learning, teaching and supporting DEC with one of our team

TEACHERS Book Here

INDUSTRY Book Here

Are you from industry?

Visit the COYO website and learn how you can recruit exceptional DEC talent, improve your organisation’s diversity and surpass your ESG commitments!

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“It is staggering how effective DEC is at getting students into high quality courses and employment directly in the target industries. As well as tackling the skills shortage and meeting the needs of employers, it’s an example of the modernisation of curriculum and assessment. It should be the model for reform across many subjects.”

Paul Haigh, Headteacher of King Ecgbert School, Sheffield A system-leading school at the heart of Mercia Learning Trust. As outstanding DEC School that holds the “World Class School” Quality Mark.
"DEC gave me great insight into what the industry entails and what is expected of me. It gave me the opportunity to meet various industry professionals and access work experience with Gardiner and Theobald and BDP. DEC enabled me to get a step ahead in the type of work I needed for my university course."

Arnaldo Sanha, Heathcote School & Science College - DEC Student from 13 years old. Now 3rd Year Architecture Student, Northumbria University
"DEC stood out on school Options Day - it was different, exciting and the only course that highlighted a path into a key sector of industry. I felt it opened up opportunities I wouldn’t have had elsewhere. I didn’t want to be another statistic, living off benefits like many people in my town."

John Haylett, Clacton Coastal Academy - DEC student from 13 years old. Now Building Surveyor, Infrastructure, Atkins
"My experience with DEC definitely helped me to land my first job. I walked through the door as a 16-year-old girl and I had a portfolio of work that I had created using industry-standard software and had a good grounding in the principles of engineering as well."

Lauren Cunningham, St Ambrose Barlow RC High School, Salford - DEC student from 12 years old. Now Trainee Engineer, Sweco
"This programme has refreshed my approach to teaching - I can see a real benefit and purpose to delivering a subject that gives genuine life opportunities."

Stewart Elston, Subject Leader for DEC, Le Rocquier School, Jersey
"I learnt a whole lot more about the [construction] industry and it's sparked my interest into the prospects of a future career... it's widened my knowledge, given me a bit more self confidence and it also looks great on my CV."

14-year-old DEC Virtual Work Experience student, Boclair Academy, Dunbarton, UK

Teach Design Engineer Construct!
‘DEC’ is the learning programme that brings the Built Environment into your classroom

Teachers from ALL subject areas are preparing children and young people for exciting careers in architecture, engineering and construction – with real-world DEC projects and qualifications

We support you every step of the way as you learn to teach DEC

TEACHER TRAINING

DEC SCHOOL

TEACH MEETS

Supported by world-class education & industry partners, including:

DEC AWARDS

DEC QUALIFICATIONS

PRIMARY DEC

DEC IN ACTION – TEACHER AND STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

HELP International School, Kuala Lumpur: Building future-ready learners through DEC

From school to site: How DEC opened the door to my Construction career

Finding my path: How DEC led me to a career in Geospatial Surveying

From A levels to Architecture: How DEC gave me a head start

Book a DEC DISCOVERY CALL

Are you from industry?

Paul Haigh, Headteacher of King Ecgbert School, Sheffield A system-leading school at the heart of Mercia Learning Trust. As outstanding DEC School that holds the “World Class School” Quality Mark.

Arnaldo Sanha, Heathcote School & Science College - DEC Student from 13 years old. Now 3rd Year Architecture Student, Northumbria University

"DEC stood out on school Options Day - it was different, exciting and the only course that highlighted a path into a key sector of industry. I felt it opened up opportunities I wouldn’t have had elsewhere. I didn’t want to be another statistic, living off benefits like many people in my town."

John Haylett, Clacton Coastal Academy - DEC student from 13 years old. Now Building Surveyor, Infrastructure, Atkins

"My experience with DEC definitely helped me to land my first job. I walked through the door as a 16-year-old girl and I had a portfolio of work that I had created using industry-standard software and had a good grounding in the principles of engineering as well."

Lauren Cunningham, St Ambrose Barlow RC High School, Salford - DEC student from 12 years old. Now Trainee Engineer, Sweco

"This programme has refreshed my approach to teaching - I can see a real benefit and purpose to delivering a subject that gives genuine life opportunities."

Stewart Elston, Subject Leader for DEC, Le Rocquier School, Jersey

"I learnt a whole lot more about the [construction] industry and it's sparked my interest into the prospects of a future career... it's widened my knowledge, given me a bit more self confidence and it also looks great on my CV."

14-year-old DEC Virtual Work Experience student, Boclair Academy, Dunbarton, UK

DESIGN CHALLENGE 2026
PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON!

Teach Design Engineer Construct!‘DEC’ is the learning programme that brings the Built Environment into your classroom

Teachers from ALL subject areas are preparing children and young people for exciting careers in architecture, engineering and construction – with real-world DEC projects and qualifications

We support you every step of the way as you learn to teach DEC

TEACHER TRAINING

DEC SCHOOL

TEACH MEETS

Supported by world-class education & industry partners, including:

DEC AWARDS

DEC QUALIFICATIONS

PRIMARY DEC

DEC IN ACTION – TEACHER AND STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

HELP International School, Kuala Lumpur: Building future-ready learners through DEC

From school to site: How DEC opened the door to my Construction career

Finding my path: How DEC led me to a career in Geospatial Surveying

From A levels to Architecture: How DEC gave me a head start

Book a DEC DISCOVERY CALL

Are you from industry?

Paul Haigh, Headteacher of King Ecgbert School, Sheffield A system-leading school at the heart of Mercia Learning Trust. As outstanding DEC School that holds the “World Class School” Quality Mark.

Arnaldo Sanha, Heathcote School & Science College - DEC Student from 13 years old. Now 3rd Year Architecture Student, Northumbria University

"DEC stood out on school Options Day - it was different, exciting and the only course that highlighted a path into a key sector of industry. I felt it opened up opportunities I wouldn’t have had elsewhere. I didn’t want to be another statistic, living off benefits like many people in my town."

John Haylett, Clacton Coastal Academy - DEC student from 13 years old. Now Building Surveyor, Infrastructure, Atkins

"My experience with DEC definitely helped me to land my first job. I walked through the door as a 16-year-old girl and I had a portfolio of work that I had created using industry-standard software and had a good grounding in the principles of engineering as well."

Lauren Cunningham, St Ambrose Barlow RC High School, Salford - DEC student from 12 years old. Now Trainee Engineer, Sweco

"This programme has refreshed my approach to teaching - I can see a real benefit and purpose to delivering a subject that gives genuine life opportunities."

Stewart Elston, Subject Leader for DEC, Le Rocquier School, Jersey

"I learnt a whole lot more about the [construction] industry and it's sparked my interest into the prospects of a future career... it's widened my knowledge, given me a bit more self confidence and it also looks great on my CV."

14-year-old DEC Virtual Work Experience student, Boclair Academy, Dunbarton, UK

DESIGN CHALLENGE 2026 PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON!

Teach Design Engineer Construct!
‘DEC’ is the learning programme that brings the Built Environment into your classroom

DESIGN CHALLENGE 2026
PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON!