The Team and Facilities

The Design and Technology Department is situated on the ground floor of the Technology and Science block and caters for Electronics, Graphics, Food Preparation and Nutrition and Resistant Materials. It is a very well equipped and resourced building, including an IT suite, laptops, 3D printer and laser cutters which enable all aspects of the curriculum to be accessed by pupils. There are currently three full time specialist teachers plus two part time teachers within Technology. In addition, the department has support in the form of two dedicated Technicians.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, students follow a carousel system which consists of a double lesson (100 minutes) once a week. Through a variety of creative and practical activities, they develop knowledge and understanding of the ‘design and make’ process, through using Electronics, Food and Nutrition, Resistant Materials and Graphics.

In Electronics students make a ‘Night Light’, a ‘Steady Hand Game’ and a ‘Reaction Game’; in Food Preparation and Nutrition they cover the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet which includes making a range of savoury and sweet dishes; in Resistant Materials they make a jigsaw puzzle, maze game and an analogue clock and in Graphics they do a board game project, a festival project and an interior design project.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, students can choose to study a GCSE in Design and Technology or Food Preparation and Nutrition. Design and Technology will include a specialism from Key Stage 3 and this course has a 50% controlled assessment element included in order to recognise the importance of practical work within this subject.

For Design and Technology, students will learn about ‘New and emerging technologies’, ‘Energy, Materials, Systems, Devices’, ‘Materials and their properties’, ‘Common specialist technical principles’ and a unit on their chosen specialism.

Electronics, as a specialism, helps students to design and make quality electronic products with creativity, originality and flair using a wide range of electronic components with appropriate materials to package the electronic circuit. The packaging of the electronic circuit can include individually designed cases made from a range of resistant materials, card or recycled materials.

Resistant Materials, as a specialism, helps students develop the ability to design and make products with creativity and originality, using a range of materials and techniques. This specification requires students to develop their knowledge of woods, plastics or composite materials. Other materials may also be used and the use of new technologies is also encouraged.

Graphic products, as a specialism, helps students design and make packaging nets, logos and development of corporate identity and ratio modelling.

Food Preparation and Nutrition is an exciting and creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. At its heart, this qualification focuses on nurturing students' practical cookery skills to give them a strong understanding of nutrition. Included in this course are two non-exam assessments (NEA’s) NEA1: Food Investigation Task (15%) and NEA2: Food Preparation Task (50%).

Upon completion of this course, students will be qualified to go on to further study or embark on an apprenticeship or full-time career in the catering or food industries.

Key Stage 5

A two-year Product Design A level course is offered. Product Design helps students take a broad view of design and technology, develop their capacity to design and make products and appreciate the complex relations between design, materials, manufacture and marketing. This specification requires students to develop their ability to design and make a product in the course.

Please see links below for the Technology Curriculum Intent and an easy read curriculum maps, which explains what your child is learning and when throughout the year.