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Design and Technology
“Design and Technology prepares students to shape the made world through creativity, problem-solving and practical skills.”
Design and Technology lets you design, make and test real ideas — turning creativity into something you can see and use.
Design and Technology is a vital subject within the DfE National Curriculum (2014), enabling pupils to develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to participate confidently in an increasingly technological world. Through Design and Technology, students learn to design purposeful, functional and innovative products, drawing on knowledge from materials, engineering, electronics and computing. The curriculum emphasises problem-solving, evaluation and iterative design, encouraging students to take risks, think critically and understand how design and manufacturing impact everyday life and the wider world.
At Key Stage 3, we deliver a broad and engaging Design and Technology curriculum that allows students to experience both the design process and hands-on practical work. Students benefit from learning in our well-equipped workshops, where they safely use a wide range of tools, equipment and machinery to bring their ideas to life. Students develop confidence through hand-drawn design work as well as the use of computer-aided design (CAD) programmes, building strong foundations in both traditional and modern techniques. At Key Stage 4, students can further their learning through OCR Engineering and BTEC Construction and the Built Environment, courses that provide clear pathways into engineering, construction and related industries. These qualifications also develop highly valued transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, planning, resilience and problem-solving — skills that support success across many careers and future learning pathways.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
| Year | Autumn | Spring | Summer |
| 7 |
Graphic Skills |
Picture Frame | Deep Keyring |
| 8 |
Graphic Skills |
Clock | Money Box |
| 9 |
Engineering – design and practical skills |
Graphics; Rafters – Live brief | Construction – design and practical skills |
(The graphics project is a live project working with a company to design their new logo. We then allow the students to print this on an item; a T-shirt or bag)
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
(BTEC Construction and the Built Environment / OCR Engineering)
| Year | Autumn | Spring | Summer |
| 10 |
Construction – Component 2 Practical prep Engineering – Designing, Sketching and drawing |
Construction – Component 2 Practical assessment Engineering – CAD drawing and NEA assessment |
Construction – Component 3 Client Design prep Engineering – product design/practical work |
| 11 |
Construction – Component 3 Client Design Assessment Engineering – Product analysis and product outcomes |
Construction – Component 3 Client Design Assessment Engineering – Product analysis and product outcomes |
Construction – Component 1 Exam prep Engineering – Exam prep |
Homework
At Key Stage 3, Design and Technology homework is designed to reinforce learning from lessons and may include short research tasks, design-based activities and reflection on practical work.
At Key Stage 4, homework encompasses a mix of revision, pre-learning, research and knowledge retrieval activities, supporting pupils in developing the understanding and independence needed to be successful in their chosen Design and Technology pathways.
Extracurricular
Students benefit from a range of extracurricular opportunities, including tailored after-school sessions that support both practical and theory-based learning. Students also have opportunities to visit colleges and training providers, allowing them to gain first-hand experience of practical elements and explore future education and career pathways.