Design and Technology

Through our KS3 Technology curriculum, we aim to nurture intellectual curiosity and encourage a lifelong interest in the subject by promoting risk taking and developing problem solving skills. We strive to ensure that every student, irrespective of their starting point is given the skills and knowledge they need to meet their potential. Throughout this process, each student is given an insight into the diverse career potential of the Design & Technology and Food Preparation & Nutrition courses. 

“If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original” – Ken Robinson  – global authority on creativity, education and human potential 

Design & Technology focuses on providing opportunities for students to develop their capability, combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to create quality products.  

KS3 Design and Technology

Design & Technology is part of everyday life and is constantly evolving. Our KS3 projects focus on problem solving, exploring design strategies and developing practical skills within a specific material area(s), allowing pupils to manufacture high quality prototypes. They will learn about commercial processes and careers in related industries, as well as developing core transferable skills, such as collaboration and communication all of which should prepare them fully to become more responsible contributors to society. 

During their time in Design & Technology KS3 students will: 

  • Learn how to communicate design ideas through isometric drawing and rendering 
  • Experiment with a range of creative design strategies when generating ideas 
  • Understand the importance of H&S in the workshop 
  • Learn to manipulate a range of materials 
  • Learn to read orthographic drawings and work to close tolerances during manufacture 
  • Learn to produce a commercially viable outcome 

GCSE Design and Technology

Design & Technology at KS4 provides students with opportunities to develop their capability, combining their investigating, designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to create quality products.  

Core and Specialist subject knowledge is interleaved into project work throughout Y10 to ensure students are well equipped for their GCSE examinations. In the June of Y10, students will begin their NEA (Non-Exam Assessment) worth 50% of their final GCSE grade. This is an exciting opportunity to use the iterative design process to investigate, design and manufacture a full size prototype in the school workshop.