Design Technology

The DT Department prides itself on encouraging students to problem solve and develop products that are relevant to the world of work. Our vibrant, busy department, which is one of the largest in the county, is well equipped and we pride ourselves on our high-quality teaching and delivery in the workshops and classrooms.

Alongside the use of state-of-the-art equipment, we teach traditional hand skills that are still sought after in the modern automated workplace. Creativity and imagination are fundamental to our approach. Our students learn to design and make products that are relevant to the modern world, drawing not just on their DT knowledge but also on other disciplines such as maths, science, computing and art.

Key Stage 3
Through years 7,8 and 9 will explore Design Technology over the course of two 20 week blocks of learning. Students will learn to problem solve and find solutions to real world problems, referencing the past, linking this to the present and the future.

Key Stage 4
At KS4, students are offered GCSE in Design Technology (AQA).

Staff

Miss H Forknall (Head of Design Technology)
Ms K Longman (Head of Food Technology)
Mrs J Crocker
Mr K Foster
Ms S Warren
Ms S Pittman
Ms C Johnson
Mr M Hooper
Mr R Woof
Mrs B Crawshaw

Intent & implementation

We aim for Design and Technology to be an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. We encourage creativity and imagination when students design and make a range of products that solve real-life problems. Students evaluate their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We plan for students to acquire a broad range of subject knowledge, with cross-curricular links to many subjects.

Students learn how to take risks, become resourceful, enterprising and capable citizens, developing a critical understanding of the impact past and present design and technology has on daily life and the wider world.

Opportunities are provided for children to evaluate key events and individuals who have helped shape the world, showing the real impact of design and technology on the wider environment and helping to inspire children to become the next generation of innovators.

As a subject, we aim to make an essential contribution to the creativity, culture and well-being of the students in our school.

Year 10 – 13 students design and make individual products for a specific client/target market. Evaluating a specific client encourages pupils to solve real-life problems.

Through revisiting and consolidating skills, our lesson plans and resources help children build on prior knowledge alongside introducing new skills, knowledge and challenge. We see it as good practice to constantly review and update what children learn to keep up to date with our changing world.

Curriculum Maps

To find out what we are learning about and why, please see the appropriate curriculum map:

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Resistant Materials Year 10 Graphics / Textiles Year 11 Design Technology

GCSE Revision

Unit 1 Video Links

Learning links

Developing Cultural Capital

In our schemes of learning in Design Technology we develop cultural awareness by making referencing to cultural heritage, and industrial developments. We encourage children to be aware of the ever-changing world, and how this effects the products we use. We look at how technology pushes developments and how people and cultures influence changes. We promote understanding, appreciating and respecting diversity in our local and global communities.

Extracurricular opportunities

As a department we encourage students to take part in competitions, tournaments and workshops, both internal and external.

Careers Education

Our curriculum aims to engage pupils with potential careers by referring to the ‘bigger picture’. We reference the design and technology production industries in our schemes of learning from years 7-13 to deepen pupils understanding of how the world that surrounds us works.

In Year 10 and 11 we offer advice and guidance about potential routes to post 16 that will lead onto chosen careers, this includes working with the sixth form team to offer advice about complimentary subjects to take at A-level. In Year 12 and 13 we help pupils to explore individual routes including university degrees, work experience, apprenticeships and job prospects.