In Design and Technology we are passionate about delivering a curriculum that supports the three most basic needs of human life; preparing food, clothing yourself and making tools & shelter. Whilst developing a greater understanding of the world we live in, our aim is to involve our students in a creative process of designing and making products using a wide range of materials and applications. We help children to develop life skills through activities and tasks which are designed to help them grow in confidence. Beyond Key Stage 3, some choose to deepen their understanding through one of our industry-relevant qualifications.
Students show a pride in their workmanship and are encouraged to share their successes in discussions, group presentations, classroom displays and through peer assessment. All activities and tasks are planned to allow imaginative and creative designing, leading to manufactured products which will demonstrate high standards. Students will make products that they are proud to take home and show off their skills.
We recognise the importance of transferable skills from other subjects and their role in a student’s success in Technology, and aim to incorporate cross-curricular learning opportunities that support progress in other curriculum areas; for example, providing activities that encourage the use of extended writing and applying Maths skills to calculate the dimensions of a designed product. In all areas of Design and Technology, students reflect critically when evaluating their designs and are encouraged to modify their work, whilst considering how it would be manufactured in industry.
At Key Stage 3 the curriculum topics are shared between Food, Textiles, Resistant Materials and Engineering and high standards of graphical competence are encouraged throughout all subjects. We have specialist classrooms and workshops fully equipped to work in these material areas.
During Year 7 students are introduced to a broad range of techniques and are taught to use equipment safely. Through Year 8 their competence is developed through design and make activities in which we expect high standards of work and quality finished pieces. In Year 9 we begin to prepare students for the demands of KS4 with more focus on exam practice and a higher level of challenge.
Your child’s wellbeing is our highest priority during Technology lessons and every care is taken to ensure the learning environment is safe. Please be aware that although we take steps to minimise the risk of hazards occurring, we cannot guarantee the complete removal of allergens in the Catering room. If this is a concern for you and your child, please get in touch to discuss your individual needs.
At Key Stage 4 students are able to select from a range of GCSE and level 2 options including Engineering, Textiles & Catering. All of these subjects require a hard-working attitude from the start, as all work produced will count towards the overall qualification grade. Weekly after-school catch-up sessions are offered for anybody falling behind.
Students can choose to follow our ‘A’ level Textiles course. This course develops knowledge and skills that can be taken on into a number of higher education courses or apprenticeship schemes. Please see the links below for useful revision resources, coursework support materials and careers websites.
Engineering and Product Design Reading
Food and Catering Wider Reading
In addition, the following links will take you to useful resources for exam revision and coursework support materials:
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scots_Guide/intro/electron.htm
Visit the following page for an extensive list of helpful websites related to Technology, courtesy of ‘TechnologyStudent.com’
The sites were recommended by the World Association of Technology Teachers:
http://www.technologystudent.com/gener/linkspg1.htm
