Design and Technology

The Design and Technology Department

The Design and Technology curriculum aims to give our young people the skills and knowledge to engage with the fast changing world around us.

Our specialist teaching rooms allow all students to study Food Preparation and Nutrition and Design and Technology enabling us to deliver a varied, inspiring and challenging curriculum which will engage and excite students.  We aim to introduce students to new skills and materials, to extend their knowledge of food types and tastes and experience industry standard manufacturing methods.

We have invested in specialist workshop areas, which includes a separate CAD/CAM (computer aided design/computer aided manufacture) suite. Students now have the opportunity to use industry standard equipment which includes laser cutters, 3D printers and CNC router.  We have also invested in image transfer equipment and a Bagpress for laminating larger pieces of work.

The Technology Curriculum

We offer a broad and exciting curriculum giving all students the opportunity to design, evaluate and make high quality products with their client at the heart of the design process.

Students are set design briefs in Year 7 but as they progress through KS3 are then encouraged to investigate and write their own design tasks in preparation for the move to KS4.  Throughout KS3 students follow a project rotation structure.  Students will study a unit in each discipline - Food preparation and nutrition, Textiles, Timbers and Boards and Product Design each year covering a variety of materials, skills and knowledge.  We introduce CAD/CAM work in Year 7 and then continue to build on this in Year 8 and 9, extending their manufacturing capabilities and varying the material outcome.

At KS4 students have the opportunity to study GCSE D&T and GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition.  Building on experience from KS3, this provides more in depth study of ingredients, materials, technical aspects, environmental and social concerns as well as practical skills.  Students will practise NEA style contexts in preparation for the chosen context set by the exam board.  Students are encouraged to take creative risks with their designs and to respond to real world problems that meet the needs, wants and values of their client and target market.  Food preparation and nutrition equips learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating.  Examination is 50% NEA and 50% written exam at the end of Year 11.

Course Assessment (NEA - non examined assessment and exam)

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition - NEA 1 and 2 (non examined assessment) contribute a total of 50% of the overall grade.  The remaining 50% is exam.

GCSE Design and Technology - NEA contributes 50% of the overall grade.  The remaining 50% is exam.