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Design and Technology

Intent:

Design and technology prepares students to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing technologies. They learn to think and intervene creatively to improve quality of life. The subject calls for students to become autonomous and creative problem solvers, as individuals and members of a team. They must look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and effects. Through design and technology, all students can become discriminating and informed users of products, and become innovators.

Aims:

Design & Technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

  • Are able to apply the iterative design process to provide solutions to given problems.
  • Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
  • Realise that most of the items or products we interactive with on a daily basis are designed by humans, for humans for a reason.
  • Are to know that design is there to aid comfort, transport, physical needs, communication, and health and also for aesthetic reasons.
  • Have knowledge of some important design movements and their origins from culture.
  • Knowledge of materials, their origins, strengths and weaknesses, in subject specific areas to help develop outcomes that are more realistic.
  • A good understanding of how environment considerations can impact design decisions, positively and negatively.
  • Understanding of ergonomics and anthropometrics. 
  • Acquire a broad range of subject knowledge & draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.

Implementation:

KS3

All students work with a range of materials, tools and equipment throughout years 7, 8 and 9. Throughout years 7-9 the students rotate through the four subject areas of Resistant Materials (RM), Textiles, Graphics and Food. Students are introduced to a range of materials and techniques and will develop and refine their understanding of these throughout KS3.

KS4

Students can study a course in any of the following disciplines;

  • Construction and the Built Environment
  • Graphic Communication
  • Textile Design
  • Hospitality and Catering

Students will continue to develop their ability to;

  • Generate and refine ideas through specialist subject knowledge and skills.
  • Explore the work of design movements and designers and extend their cultural knowledge.
  • Develop practical and technical skills.
  • Experiment with a range of materials, processes and technologies.
  • Develop their investigative, analytical, experimental and interpretative capabilities.
  • Develop critical and enquiring minds, with increasing independence.
  • Improve personal attributes including self-confidence, resilience, perseverance, self-discipline and commitment.