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. All subjects taught in specialist rooms with CAD/CAM facilities.

What will you learn in Key Stage 3?

Designing and making

Understanding that designing and making has aesthetic, environmental, technical, economic, ethical and social dimensions and impacts on the world.

Cultural understanding

Understanding how products evolve according to users' and designers' needs, beliefs, ethics and values and how they are influenced by local customs and traditions and available materials.

Creativity

Making links between principles of good design, existing solutions and technological knowledge to develop innovative products and processes.
In Year 7 and Year 8 you will work in three areas of technology - Product Design, Food Technology and Textiles
In Year 9 you will work in all 3 areas, including additional graphics as part of a product design unit.

Design & Technology Key Stage 4 

 Students follow the GCSE AQA Design Technology course. They choose to follow one of the following strands:

Product Design/ Graphics Products

A practical approach that encourages students to design and make products with creativity and originality in a variety of practical activities, using a range of materials and techniques.

Resistant Materials

A practical approach that encourages students to design and make products with creativity and originality in a variety of practical activities, using a range of materials -woods, metals, plastics and composite materials.

Food Technology

A practical approach that encourages students to design and make food products with creativity and originality in a variety of practical activities.

Textiles

A practical approach designed for actual classroom practice, both in terms of assessment and the activities that students undertake to demonstrate their creativity in making textile products.

Child Development (KS4 only)

In this course you will develop your knowledge and skills through studying a range of different topics. You will also have the opportunity to carry out a variety of practical investigations.
You will study:
• Parenthood and Pregnancy;
• Physical Development;
• Nutrition and Health;
• Intellectual, Social and Emotional Development;
• The Family and Community.

Catering (KS4 only)

This practical course involves the development of practical skills relating to all types of catering establishments. The emphasis is on working in a catering kitchen and food industry.

In KS4 students are involved in Young Enterprise - creating and running their own business with the guidance of a linked teacher and industrial advisors.

Trips include visits to Ironbridge as part of the Catering course and nursery visits as part of Child Development.