What we do in Design and Technology

In design and technology pupils combine practical and technological skills with creative thinking to design and make products and systems that meet human needs. They learn to use current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments. They learn to think creatively and intervene to improve the quality of life, solving problems as individuals and members of a team.

Working in stimulating contexts that provide a range of opportunities and draw on the local ethos, community and wider world, pupils identify needs and opportunities. They respond with ideas, products and systems, challenging expectations where appropriate. They combine practical and intellectual skills with an understanding of aesthetic, technical, cultural, health, social, emotional, economic, industrial and environmental issues. As they do so, they evaluate present and past design and technology, and its uses and effects. Through design and technology pupils develop confidence in using practical skills and become discriminating users of products. They apply their creative thinking and learn to innovate.

During Key Stage 3 pupils will study Food, Textiles, Resistant Materials, Art and Systems and Control. This allows them to experience Technology using variety of materials and equipment.

At Key Stage 4 the NCFE suite of Level 2 Creative Craft options are offered in:

• Mixed Crafts
• Fashion
• Cookery
• Digital Imaging

All of the qualifications are recognised by local colleges and offer great progression routes at college. We also offer the Diploma in Engineering at Level 2. This is a oversubscribed course and offers the students a demanding yet rewarding curriculum and excellent progression on to Level 3 courses.

We offer a range of afterschool activities and clubs that are popular and bolster the students learning. The clubs we currently run are:

• Wood club
• Textiles club
• Cookery club

Aims of the Team

• To ensure that all pupils receive the best education we can offer in Technology
• To promote equal opportunities of experience of Technology and to allow for differences of culture and gender.
• To develop the Technology skills of pupils who are gifted and talented and those with special educational needs as far as is practicable
• To monitor, assess and record all pupils' work
• To develop the skills and expertise of all members of the Curriculum team.

The clear successes of design and technology stem from an established uniformity of purpose and practice, with pupils' learning and achievement the only focus. Because the pupils know what they are doing and why, because they know what to do to improve, and do so, achievement is good. (OFSTED) have recognised that we also make links with faculties across the school and are involved with a number of projects that benefit the local community.

Why choose Design and Technology