Primary Engineer
Primary Engineer is a UK not-for-profit founded in 2005 that delivers fully-funded STEM programmes, competitions, and teacher qualifications to schools, funded by engineering-industry sponsors seeking social-value impact.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersBurnley, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Primary Engineer does
Primary Engineer is a UK educational not-for-profit (legally Primary Engineer Ltd, operating under license from Universe of Engineering Ltd) founded in 2005 by Susan Scurlock MBE, headquartered in Burnley with a regional office in Glasgow. The organisation delivers a project-based engineering curriculum across the full UK educational age range—from Early Years through Secondary—comprising seven core programmes (Early Years Engineer, Vehicle, Construction, Rail, Time Machines, Kites, and the secondary-focused Fluid Power Challenge), two national competitions (Leaders Award and STATWARS), three teacher qualifications (Engineering a Career, Engineering STEM in the Classroom, and a University of Strathclyde-accredited PGCert), and supporting products such as the MacRobert Medal award and a 10-year commemorative Leaders Award publication. Its proprietary methodology, marketed under the STEM by Stealth® trademark, integrates practical maths and science with creative problem solving and literacy development, supported by a £1,000-plus-per-school resource kit model and full-day teacher training.
The organisation's go-to-market is event- and community-led: industry sponsors (including Siemens Mobility, Network Rail, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, ABB, GKN Aerospace, AVEVA and Babcock) fully fund school places, while a volunteer network of 2,384 engineers delivers classroom engagement and competition judging. Schools register through direct outreach supported by three regional Heads of Partnerships (North West, Scotland, and South England/South West/Wales). Revenue is generated primarily through partnership funding and social-value contracts, supplemented by a recurring paid PGCert stream at £2,500 per participant and short-course fees. In 2024-25 the organisation recorded 108,395 pupil engagements, 6,059 teachers, and 775,860 pupil-hours, achieving national UK coverage.
The 20-25-person team is organised around a founder-CEO, an Operations Director, regional partnership heads, a Head of Creative Product Design, a Head of Creative Marketing, a Head of Service Delivery, and contract/service-delivery coordinators. Distribution combines direct school engagement, industry-partner referrals, regional celebration events (25+ awards ceremonies per year), content marketing (website, social, podcasts, newsletters), and PR. Brand assets are protected by four registered trademarks and the Engineering STEM in the Classroom qualification is endorsed by Education Scotland, providing third-party validation within the UK state-education procurement environment.
Primary Engineer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Primary Engineer
- Legal name
- Primary Engineer Ltd
- Website
- https://primaryengineer.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Primary Engineer is a UK not-for-profit founded in 2005 that delivers fully-funded STEM programmes, competitions, and teacher qualifications to schools, funded by engineering-industry sponsors seeking social-value impact.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Primary Engineer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- STEM Education Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (61), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)
Keywords
Where Primary Engineer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burnley
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Primary Engineer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Partnership funding and social value contracts: Engineering and technology companies partner with Primary Engineer to deliver measurable social value through school outreach programmes. Partners fund fully subsidized places for schools, creating quantifiable social impact metrics (e.g., Siemens Mobility generated over £155,000 of social value).
- Qualification programmes: The PGCert and professional recognition programme costs £2,500 per participant, with payment plans available. This represents a paid professional development offering for teachers.
- Fully funded school programmes: Core programmes are fully funded by industry partners, eliminating cost barriers for schools. Where partners fund regions, schools receive free kits, training, and resources worth over £1,000 per programme.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | PGCert Professional Development - £2,500 |
| Freemium | Annual | Fully Funded School Programmes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Primary Engineer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Primary Engineer is a UK not-for-profit that delivers fully funded engineering-focused STEM programmes to schools from Reception through Secondary, combining hands-on classroom projects with teacher professional development. Its core deliverables include classroom kits and full-day teacher training, industry-led engineer engagement, national competitions (Leaders Award and STATWARS), and accredited qualifications culminating in a PGCert awarded by the University of Strathclyde.
Product overview
Primary Engineer is a purpose-driven not-for-profit organization that has been on a mission since 2005 to bring engineering into UK classrooms. The organization operates a multi-product portfolio comprising STEM educational programmes (including Early Years Engineer, Vehicle Programme, Construction Programme, Rail Programme, Time Machines, Kites Programme, and Secondary Engineer Fluid Power Challenge), national competitions (Leaders Award and STATWARS Climate Change Challenge), professional qualifications (Engineering a Career, Engineering STEM in the Classroom, and Engineering your Curriculum PGCert), publications (If You Were An Engineer... Book), and awards (Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal). These offerings work together to provide a comprehensive engineering education pathway from Early Years through Further Education, combining practical classroom delivery, teacher professional development, pupil competitions, and industry engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Leaders Award: STEM competition asking pupils 'If you were an engineer, what would you do?' - a national competition open to all pupils aged 3-19 years in the UK
- STATWARS
- Engineering STEM in the Classroom
- Engineering your Curriculum PGCert
Products and services
- Leaders Award Competition A national competition open to all pupils aged 3-19 years in the UK. Pupils interview engineering professionals, identify problems, and design innovative solutions. Every entry receives a graded certificate from engineering professionals.
- Early Years Engineer A STEM project designed for Reception and Early Years practitioners that introduces inquiry-based learning through practical projects, encouraging children to become Early Years Engineers. The course provides practical activities using low-cost materials and supports teachers in exploring key STEM concepts at an early age.
- Vehicle Programme A fully funded STEM project for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils that provides STEM-based professional development for teachers. Pupils build and test their own vehicle models while interacting with engineering professionals, culminating in a celebration event.
- Construction Programme A fully funded STEM project for primary schools that provides STEM-based professional development for teachers. Pupils engage in building and testing construction project models while interacting with engineering professionals.
- Rail Programme A fully funded STEM project for primary schools focusing on rail engineering. The programme provides STEM-based professional development for teachers and allows pupils to build and test rail-related models with engineering professional interactions.
- Time Machines A fully funded STEM project for primary schools that uses the design and building of Time Machines to explore materials, creative problem solving, and the science and maths involved in watch and clock-making. Designed for Lower and Upper Primary learners with strong cross-curricular links.
- Kites Programme A fully funded STEM project for primary and secondary schools that allows pupils to design, build and fly their own kites while exploring the science and maths involved in kite design. Aligned with careers in aviation and aerospace sectors.
- Fluid Power Challenge (Secondary Engineer) A STEM project for secondary schools focusing on the dynamics of fluid power, exploring hydraulics and pneumatics, science, maths and design technology. Designed for Y8/S2 pupils upwards with hands-on mechanisms.
- STATWARS Climate Change Challenge A data and climate change challenge competition for primary and secondary school pupils with curriculum links to science, mathematics, computing, engineering, English and geography. Empowers pupils to investigate and present data to inform decision-making.
- Engineering a Career A short course for school career leads and guidance teachers that highlights cross-subject interests leading to engineering careers. Fully accredited and funded with cover costs included for UK teachers, aligned with Gatsby Benchmarks and Career Education Standard 3-18.
- Engineering STEM in the Classroom A 12-hour course endorsed by Education Scotland, designed for teachers and practitioners across all educational settings. Spans 8 weeks with interactive sessions featuring at least six engineers from diverse industries, enabling teachers to develop an engineering-themed curriculum.
- Engineering your Curriculum PGCert A Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering STEM Learning accredited by the University of Strathclyde, providing 60 Master's level/SCQF level 11 credits. Addresses the skills and confidence deficit teaching professionals have around STEM subjects, running January to December across two academic years.
Quantifiable outcome
- 108,395 pupils engaged in 2024-25 academic year
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Primary Engineer
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Primary Engineer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Primary Engineer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Siemens MobilitycoreEngineering partner funding school programmes and measuring social value impact. Partnership generated over £155,000 of social value around Siemens Mobility's rail village in Goole.
- ABB GroupsupportingEngineering and technology company supporting Primary Engineer programmes through funding and industry expertise.
- BoeingsupportingAerospace company supporting engineering education programmes in UK schools.
- Network RailsupportingRail infrastructure company supporting Rail Programme and engineering career awareness.
- Rolls-RoycesupportingAerospace and power systems company supporting engineering outreach programmes.
- GKN AerospacesupportingAerospace engineering company engaging with ProtoTeam prototype development competitions.
- AVEVAsupportingEngineering software company engaging engineers in school programmes and ProtoTeam activities.
- Civil Aviation AuthoritysupportingRegulatory body supporting aviation-related STEM programmes including UpClip prototype.
- Babcock InternationalsupportingDefence engineering company with representatives on advisory board and supporting programmes.
- Scottish EngineeringcoreHosting Scottish office and key industry partner for engineering sector engagement.
- University of StrathclydecoreAccrediting PGCert programme and providing academic expertise for engineering education.
- University of PlymouthsupportingAcademic partner supporting product design education and educator lecturer involvement.
- Liverpool John Moores UniversitysupportingHosting regional awards events and supporting engineering education initiatives.
- RAF (Royal Air Force)supportingMilitary organization supporting engineering awareness and career pathways.
- Royal NavysupportingNaval service supporting maritime engineering education programmes.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Primary Engineer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Engineering Development Trust (EDT): UK-based charity running industry-linked STEM programmes, work-experience placements, and teacher training for school-aged pupils. Most direct comparable as a UK STEM education charity delivering curriculum and competitions in schools.
- STEM Learning: UK STEM education charity (formerly STEMnet) providing teacher CPD, STEM Ambassadors, and resources to UK schools. Direct peer in mission, teacher-training focus, and corporate-partner engagement model.
- Smallpeice Trust: UK charity inspiring young people into engineering through residential courses, competitions, and school programmes. Closely comparable as a smaller engineering-education charity with similar school-targeted delivery and industry sponsorship.
- Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT): UK charity focused on primary-school science teaching, including teacher CPD and classroom resources. Direct peer given Primary Engineer's heavy focus on primary/early-years STEM and teacher professional development.
Broad incumbents
- Royal Academy of Engineering: UK national academy running engineering education programmes, policy advocacy, and school engagement initiatives. Broader incumbent with overlapping school-outreach mission but wider scope including policy and research.
- Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Education: Professional engineering institution delivering Faraday education resources, school engagement, and teacher CPD across the UK. Broader incumbent with parallel STEM-competition and teacher-training activity.
- EngineeringUK: UK organisation promoting engineering careers through Big Bang Fair, school data programmes, and policy work. Broader incumbent with overlapping school-engagement and corporate-partner mission.
- British Science Association: UK charity running CREST Awards, British Science Week, and school STEM engagement programmes. Comparable as a broad STEM-education charity with school programmes and corporate partnerships, though with a science rather than engineering specialism.
Regional players
- First Story: UK education charity working with schools on creative writing and literacy programmes. Adjacent in operating model (charity delivering funded school programmes with partner sponsorship) and relevant for cross-curricular comparison, since Primary Engineer explicitly integrates literacy.
Emerging players
- Teach First: UK education charity recruiting and training teachers for low-income schools, with corporate partnerships. Comparable in mission-adjacent teacher development and partner-funded delivery, though focused on teacher recruitment specifically.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Primary Engineer social profiles
Digital presencePrimary Engineer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Primary Engineer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Primary Engineer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Primary Engineer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Primary Engineer
What does Primary Engineer do?
Primary Engineer is a UK not-for-profit that delivers fully funded engineering-focused STEM programmes to schools from Reception through Secondary, combining hands-on classroom projects with teacher professional development. Its core deliverables include classroom kits and full-day teacher training, industry-led engineer engagement, national competitions (Leaders Award and STATWARS), and accredited qualifications culminating in a PGCert awarded by the University of Strathclyde.
Is Primary Engineer a public or private company?
Primary Engineer is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Primary Engineer founded?
Primary Engineer was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Primary Engineer based?
Primary Engineer is headquartered in Burnley, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Primary Engineer make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Partnership funding and social value contracts are the primary driver. The others are qualification programmes and fully funded school programmes.
Who are Primary Engineer's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Engineering Development Trust (EDT), STEM Learning, Smallpeice Trust and Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT). Broad incumbents are Royal Academy of Engineering, Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Education, EngineeringUK and British Science Association. First Story is listed as a regional player. Teach First is listed as an emerging player.
Does Primary Engineer have an API?
No public API is recorded for Primary Engineer.
What industry is Primary Engineer in?
Primary Engineer's product category is STEM Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAFAB, Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led), with a secondary code of BPAGADAG, STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 61 and its SIC code is 8200.