Statement of Intent
The Design and Technology curriculum aims to expose students to the wonderful world of designing and making. Within our curriculum we encourage students to be inquisitive, looking at the world around them and considering the impacts our ever developing technologies have on their lifestyles as well as the environment. We aim to develop critical thinkers who not only can identify a problem but also find and implement a solution to solve the problem. All students have the opportunity every year to complete work in our well equipped workshops – a fantastic totally new experience for all Year 7 students. As students move through the year groups, they will progress in confidence to become independent and skilled when working with timbers, polymers and metals.
Each week students will experience a combination of lesson structures from written analysis and evaluation, to design sketching, to computer aided design and practical work using both hand tools and machinery. Students are expected to adhere to health and safety rules at all times whilst in the department. Lessons and learning outcomes will be differentiated to suit all students. All students will follow the same curriculum throughout key stage 3, 4 and 5.
Students will experience working with at least two material areas each year. Throughout the key stage 3 curriculum, they will revisit each material area at least twice (excluding metals). Students who select GCSE Design and Technology will be taught a core knowledge of all material areas alongside in depth teaching of timbers and polymers in preparation for the NEA (non examined assessment, coursework) and examinations. KS5 students follow A Level Product Design.
Our curriculum aims to inspire students in the direction of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical) careers. As a department we provide a variety of extracurricular opportunities to enhance students’ love of the subject.
