Design and Technology is a subject that offers opportunities for pupils to develop their overall capability. Capability can be defined as being able to combine practical action with deepening understanding. Capability is based on the need to intervene with the 'made' world by developing the ability to design and make products and systems using materials and components to meet peoples' needs. An ultimate aim is one to instil an awareness of peoples needs and the role design and technology can play in helping to meet those needs. The subject must therefore ensure the purposeful acquisition of material handling skills and a thorough understanding of making processes. Pupils must be encouraged to:
- focus their imagination
- initiate ideas
- develop ideas
- make value judgments
- make good quality products
- test their products in use/reality

A Rationale for Design and Technology:

Design and technology gives pupils the opportunity to intervene with the made world to use materials and tools in a workshop environment. Through workshop activities pupils will begin to understand the pressures that operate in the real world of products, people, systems and environments. Through its very nature, the subject gives pupils an outlet to try out their own ideas and develop their own style. All those qualities implicit to design and technology like perception, imagination, innovation, value judgment, planning and thoughtfulness are also those which are vital to economic and social development. To underline this we also recognize the value design and technology activities can have in reinforcing the skills and knowledge learned in other subject areas.

Key Stage 3:

Throughout years 7, 8 and 9, all pupils will have spent an equal amount of time studying KS 3 Resistant Materials, Graphic Products and Food Technology. All pupils will focus on four subject areas: Food, Resistant Materials, Graphics Products and Electronics, and pupils will develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required by the National Curriculum through a range of focused practical tasks and design and make projects.  The overall experience within the department should give pupils a broad oversight of all of the Design and Technology subjects, and prepares them well to make an informed decision about which of the Technology subject areas to study at GCSE.

KS4 Curriculum:

All Design and Technology courses will give students the opportunity to undertake assignments in which they will design and make products, relating them to industrial practices.  They will also study commercial products, analyse their construction and evaluate their effectiveness. Students will have the option to study one of the GCSE Design and Technology options.  These are: Product Design or Food Technology.

Product Design

The course involves using a range of Graphical and Practical skills to design and manufacture products in a wide variety of materials. The subject is made up of four distinct units studied over the two year GCSE course and incorporates a new and exciting type of assessment. The focus will be on pupil’s imagination, innovation and flair for designing and making.

The GCSE Product Design course is made up of the following four mandatory units: Designing Influences, Designing and Making Innovation Challenge, Developing and Applying Design Skills and Making, Testing and Marketing Products.  Designing Influences and the Innovation Challenge are examined during year 10 and the grades are given during year 10.  The latter two units Developing and Applying Design Skills and Making, Testing and Marketing Products are examined in January and June of  year 11.

 Food Technology (Home Economics: Food and Nutrition)

 
This is a food based practical course, requiring students to:
•        Produce a wide selection of food products to suit practical situations.
•        Be able to identify the issues and problems and then use their knowledge to justify a good selection of suitable dishes to make.
 
This course provides the opportunity for students to investigate the complex nature of food as a material – its properties, the effects of processing, the selection of tools and the methods for cutting, forming, shaping and finishing.  The knowledge and experience will be developed through short practical tasks and assignments, wherever possible related to industrial practices and processes.

 Pupil’s Basic Equipment Requirements:

In the subject of Design and Technology, there is an obvious need to use a wide variety of safety equipment and specialist resources. The department will provide your child with this type of equipment.However, it would be advantageous to your son/daughter if they could bring to each of their Design and Technology lessons, the minimum of basic equipment. This is as follows:

• Black pen or Fine Liner
• Pencils - HB and 2H 
• Ruler   
• Pencil Sharpener  
• Rubber
• At least 6 coloured pencils

This will not only ease the interruptions to lessons when pupils need to borrow equipment, but it will also help to instil a sense of responsibility and pride in their work.