Design & Technology
Design is taught across mixed ability classes in a variety of specialist rooms, including a fully equipped Food room, Textiles room and Workshop, good use is also made of our computer suite across all ages.
In Year 7, 8 and 9 students rotate across the three areas of Food, Workshop and Textiles. The basic practical skills are taught alongside the relevant theory. At KS4 and KS5 a variety of exam courses are available.
Design is taught across mixed ability classes in a variety of specialist rooms, including a fully equipped Food room, Textiles room and Workshop, good use is also made of our computer suite across all ages.
In Year 7, 8 and 9 students rotate across the three areas of Food, Workshop and Textiles. The basic practical skills are taught alongside the relevant theory. At KS4 and KS5 a variety of exam courses are available.
Learning is enhanced through homework across the timetable. Staff are available to help across the week and are available to help on designated lunchtimes in their specialist rooms. Various year group specific clubs and extra support sessions are also available.
We encourage students to further support their learning by visiting related events both locally and nationally where possible, we run a variety of trips across the year. We hope students will continue to enjoy design and all it has to offer by reading magazines and books and watching related TV.
We aim to prepare students for the exciting prospect of life after school and a career too where possible. The department aims to make DT enjoyable for all and plans that students leave school with at least a basic skill level in all the three practical areas and have confidence to develop these abilities when they leave school.
Food
Students will gain a broad range of the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy cooking meals at home; they will also gain an understanding of how to economise when meal planning. They will be encouraged the transfer of skills learnt to other recipes and to make changes that have health benefits. All work is underpinned with the understanding about sourcing food, nutrition, hygiene and food safety where relevant. Students will demonstrate their skills by following and adapting recipes.
Communication skills will be developed and tested through folder work. Students will be encouraged to use a wide range of source materials, to respond creatively to briefs. They will have the opportunity to explore the work and style of popular Chefs and Cooks who inspire them, thus forming their own ideas. It is an expectation that students will provide ingredients and be prepared to cook every week.
Product Design
Students will initially study the core design skills which will focus on generating and developing ideas, using information sources and computer aided design (CAD). Students will be challenged to think creatively and solve problems with innovation and flair. Students will also have the opportunity to explore and use a number of materials including card, wood, metal and plastic.
Communication skills will be developed and tested through folder work including ICT and practical work. Students will be encouraged to use a wide range of source materials to respond creatively to design briefs and explore and test their design skills. Students will also use others design work to inspire their own ideas. They will work with a range of tools, materials, equipment and processes. Ideas will be modelled, tested and adapted accordingly. Both individual and group work will be explored. Higher levels of independent learning are to be expected, creativity will remain at the core of most thinking and students will be given the opportunity to push the boundaries to reach the highest grades possible. Lunchtime will be available to all students across the DT areas.
Textiles
Students will start from the beginning and will learn hand stitching skills and basic joining techniques. They will learn how to use the sewing machine and use pressing methods to achieve a high-quality product. To compliment the practical skills, the students will also learn theory behind the various materials, their origins, and how they can be manipulated to make the most of their properties. They will use the framework of The Design Process to understand how to design for a client and will be able to use research to help them to generate a variety of ideas for a specific user group.
The students are encouraged to be creative and innovative problem solvers. They are encouraged to think ahead into a world where sustainable technology will be of prime importance and creative design is essential.
Food and Nutrition
In this course students will have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of nutrition and develop their practical skills through the following topics: nutrition, food provenance and food choice, cooking and food preparation and preparation and cooking techniques. They will learn about the functions and sources of nutrients, and use this knowledge to plan meals for people with differing nutritional needs. Methods of cooking and the effect of preparation and cooking on the nutritional value of food will be investigated. Students will also learn about food hygiene safety in relation to preparation, cooking and storage.
They will learn the basic cookery skills that will be useful to them in their future lives.
Design Technology: Timber, Metal, Polymer
This course will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise. Students will select at least one material from timber, metal and polymer
The course will allow students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials, techniques and equipment. There will also be the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.
Design Technology: Textiles
This course will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise.
The course will allow students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials, techniques and equipment. There will also be the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.
Product Design: Fashion & Textiles (A Level)
Careers ideas could include any design related degree including fashion, costume, architecture, interior, visual merchandising, marketing and commercial areas of study. Similarly employment in the Textiles field.
Curriculum – Year 12
- Core technical principles
- Core designing and making principles
- Additional specialist knowledge
Students will follow theory with some practical investigations, starting their NEA towards the end of the year, theme for NEA to be discussed and decided individually with staff.
Curriculum – Year 13
- Core technical principles
- Core designing and making principles
- Additional specialist knowledge
Students will follow theory with some practical input where needed, the NEA will be completed by end of Easter term. The summer term will be devoted to revision In preparation for both written exams.
Assessment
Paper 1
- What’s assessed: Core technical principles and core designing and making principles.
- Questions: Mixture of short answer, multiple choice and extended response.
- How it’s assessed: Written exam: 2 hours, 100 marks, 25% of A-level.
Coursework is usually hand produced rather than digitally.
Paper 2
- What’s assessed: Additional specialist knowledge, core technical and core designing and making principles.
- How it’s assessed: Written exam: 2 hours, 25% of A-level.
- Questions: Mixture of short answer, multiple choice and extended response questions.
- Section A: Product Analysis: 40 marks. Up to 6 short answer questions based on visual stimulus of product(s).
- Section B: Commercial manufacture: 60 marks. Mixture of short and extended response questions.
Non-exam assessment (NEA)
- What’s assessed: Practical application of core technical principles, core designing and making principles and additional specialist knowledge.
- How it’s assessed: Substantial design and make task, 45 hours, 100 marks, 50% of A-level.
- Evidence: Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.
Coursework is usually hand produced rather than digitally.
Hygiene Certificate – Level 2
Anyone who works in catering or hospitality needs to be aware of the latest food hygiene standards.
Students are taught how to clean and disinfect equipment, safely store and prepare food, and control common pests. It will allow them to handle food safely and ensure that they are complying with all of the relevant health and safety standards.
Our popular Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering course has been re-designed and includes all the latest legislation, information and up-to-date guidance.