Design & Technology
Design and Technology Department 
Introduction
Design and Technology is about designing and manufacturing things that people require in line with modern society and that function well. Designing and creating these products is hugely exciting and is an innovative, fun activity for all involved at any age.
Design and technology is a challenging subject as it requires pupils to engage in deep learning which requires an enquiring mind, innovation, creativity, determination, the careful management of time and resources, a sense of responsibility for making decisions and taking actions. An important feature is that it makes immediate and practical use of knowledge and skills from other school subjects. It is linked directly with Art, Mathematics, English, Science and ICT.
Design and technology prepares our students to participate in tomorrow's rapidly changing technologies and contempory societies. They combine practical skills with an understanding of innovation, aesthetics, function, social and environmental issues, industrial practices and computer aided design and manufacturing. All students have the opportunity to work with a range of materials including food, textiles, electronics, resistant and graphic materials. Through Design and Technology, all students can become discriminating and informed users of products, ICT and become future innovators.
Course Content
KS3
All students study Design and Technology as a core part of the curriculum. They are timetabled for one period per week (one hour) in Years 8 and 9. Students work on a range of design and make and focused practical tasks over the KS3 that include product design, analysis and manufacture, electronics, structures, mechanisms, graphic illustration and computer aided design.
Food Technology is also taught to Year 7 students for 1 hour per week Students learn about hygiene, health and safety, nutrition and cooking skills.
KS4
We offer a Design and Technology course studying either Resistant Materials, Product Design, Graphic Products or Home Economics Food and Nutrition (AQA) The two year courses allow students to develop their design and manufacturing skills with sixty percent of the final marks awarded for a large design and make project of the students own choice in Resistant Materials, Product Design and Graphic products and 50% in Home Economics Food and Nutrition.
Facilities 
The Design and Technology Department has two well equipped materials workshops, a graphics studio, equipped with ICT and a food technology room. The department is staffed by two full time and one part time specialist members of staff who are supported by a technician.
Activities/Trips
Students are taken on trips to the Design Museum and Science Museum to support their learning. The department works with careers advisers to raise awareness of careers in the creative industries such as engineering and architecture.
Exam results
Over the last few years the GCSE results in Design and Technology have risen and are a result of hard work and dedication by both staff and students.
