Design and Technology
"From phones, to cars, to food and medicine; design and technology touches every part of our lives. If you can design and create, you can change the world”
Our vision within the Design and Technology department is deliver an ambitious, knowledge rich creative curriculum.
- We aim to foster independence and creativity within our lessons which allows students to flourish and develop them independence both inside and outside of the classroom.
- We endeavour to encourage students to consider the needs of, and develop designs for, a wide range of users to nurture an appreciation and tolerance of other people’s experiences and perspectives.
- We aim to provide continuing opportunities for students to share their ideas with others so that they are confident in giving and receiving constructive feedback and can critique, evaluate and test their own ideas and the work of others.
- We also aim to provide opportunities to promote students' engagement in creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences.
- We aim to provide students with a range of opportunities to enhance their cultural capital and knowledge of the wider world, to help them grow not only academically but also as young people.
- We strive for teaching across the department to be consistently outstanding to ensure students reach their full potential.
Design and Technology prepares students to participate in tomorrow's rapidly changing technologies. They learn to think and intervene creatively to improve the quality of their environments. The subject calls for students to become autonomous and creative problem solvers, as individuals and members of a team. They must look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past technologies, its uses and effects. Through Design and Technology, all students can become discriminating and informed users of products and become innovators.
Design and Technology is currently offered on a carousel in 3 subject areas at KS3:
- Design Technology
- Textiles Technology
- Food Technology
The projects completed in Year 7 are the Ball Bearing Game project, a Lucy Sparrow inspired Felt Food project and a range of Healthy Lifestyle food dishes.
The projects completed in Year 8 are the Drawer Detective electronic alarm project, A Bugs and Beetles printed cushion project and a range of food dishes based on Food Provenance and Choice.
The projects completed in Year 9 are a Pizza Cutter handle, an Identity Inspired Apron project and a range of dishes linked to Menu Planning and Dietary Requirements.
Design and Technology Curriculum
KS4 Options
All areas can be studied further in Key Stage 4 to GCSE level. Design Technology follows the OCR examination board specification, Textiles follows the Art & Design: Textiles Eduqas examination board specification and Hospitality and Catering follows the WJEC Level 1/2 Vocational Award.
The Design and Technology Department has excellent facilities including fully equipped kitchens, textile room and workshops, including a state-of-the-art Laser Cutter and Sublimation Printer, sewing machines and a wide range of additional hand tools and equipment.