Engineering the Italian Way | Charterhouse School

13 of our Design Engineering pupils headed into the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley, discovering the innovation behind Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, and Ducati up close. The week blended supercar engineering with pasta-making, balsamic and Parmesan workshops, and even leather crafting. It was a high-octane, hands-on adventure that brought Design Engineering to life.

Day 1: Bologna Kick-Off

Starting our Design Engineering trip in true Italian style, pupils enjoyed a first evening with a 'slice' of inspiration and a 'scoop' of creativity.

Highlights included Ms Chandler’s pizza briefly catching fire, Theo’s, Fifth (Year 11), adventurous wasabi and bolognese ice cream, and Ziga’s, First Year Specialist (Year 12), inventive brioche icewich.

The group then looked ahead to an in-depth visit to the Pagani factory, where they would see how these iconic supercars are made.

Day 2: Art Meets Engineering

The day began in Modena, where pupils immersed themselves in art, history, and local food. The group then travelled to Pagani Supercars and even saw Horacio Pagani himself walking through the factory.

The day was rounded off with go-karting, where our very own “Ottybotty”, Felix, Second Year Specialist (Year 13), secured pole position and raced to victory.

We ended the evening preparing for the next stage of the trip: a visit to Ferrari.

Day 3: Ferrari to Fettuccine

The day moved from horsepower to flour power. The morning took the group to Ferrari, where pupils explored innovation, sleek design, and a masterclass in precision engineering. There were many striking paint options on display, though still no Charterhouse pink.

By the evening, pistons were swapped for pasta as pupils put their Italian torque techniques to the test in the kitchen before enjoying their handmade creations.

The day concluded with preparations for the next stage of the trip: visits to Lamborghini, Ducati, and a splash of balsamic brilliance.

Day 4: Bikes, Balsamic & Burritos

What a wheelie impressive day. We began with a visit to Ducati, where pupils gained an exclusive look at the production line and the legendary craftsmanship behind these world-class bikes.

They then stepped into the world of traditional balsamic vinegar. The Latin word balsamum means “balsam-like,” referring to something soothing or healing, which felt entirely fitting for such an immersive experience. There was even an attempt to see whether one of the barrels could fit into a hand luggage allowance.

From there, the group travelled to the Lamborghini factory and museum, watching the mighty Urus come to life. It was striking to observe the balance of robotic automation and the hand-skills of the team on the production line. For anyone wondering, the picture below is indeed a Lamborghini padel racket available in the gift shop.

To conclude the day, our master chefs Ziga (First Year Specialist – Year 12), Theo (Fifth – Year 11), Wilton (Second Year Specialist – Year 13), and Berty (Fifth – Year 11) prepared a feast of homemade burritos crafted with Italy’s finest ingredients. Not exactly traditional, but bellissimo all the same.

Day 5: Arrivederci, Bologna

Our final day in Bologna was grate. The pupils saw an extraordinary amount of Parmesan, and it was wheely impressive. After this deep dive into cheese production, we enjoyed a walking tour through the beautiful streets of Bologna before rolling up our sleeves for a leather workshop, where everyone crafted their own mini tortellini keyring.

As we flew home, we were treated to a spectacular Diwali fireworks display over London, a perfect ending to an unforgettable trip.