Welcome to the Design and Technology Department where your child will experience a curriculum rich in challenge and excitement. Over a five year period students receive a design and technology curriculum which allows them to exercise their creativity through designing and making. The children are taught to combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make a product. Skills are taught progressively to ensure that all children are able to learn and practice in order to develop as they move through the school. Children’s interests are captured through theme learning, ensuring that links are made in a cross curricular way, giving students motivation and meaning to their learning. Students are taught to understand that they must design and make with consideration of the impact of their work on the environment and society. We aim to produce students who design and make products in an innovative and socially responsible way.
Key Stage 3
At KS 3 students learn how to use research to understand users’ needs and to develop specifications. We build up students’ knowledge and understanding of a range of materials. They are taught a range of designing techniques and use a range of specialist tools, techniques, processes and equipment. They gain an appreciation of sustainable design and the impact of design and technology on society and the environment.
At KS 3 students develop a firm understanding of food safety and hygiene and are taught how to apply this knowledge. They also gain an understanding of how dishes can be made nutritious and how to adapt recipes to suit different needs. They also use a wide range of utensils, equipment and cooking techniques.
Key Stage 4
Students can opt to take GCSE Design and Technology and/or Level1/2 Hospitality and Catering.
GCSE Design and Technology
In GCSE in Design and Technology students apply iterative design processes through which they explore, create and evaluate a range of products. Students use creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Students acquire subject knowledge in design and technology that builds on Key Stage 3, incorporating knowledge and understanding of different materials and manufacturing processes in order to design and make with confidence. Students learn how to take design risks, helping them to become resourceful, innovative and enterprising citizens. They develop an awareness of practices from the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries. Half the course is examined by way of an end of course examination and the other half is assessed through non examined assessment (what used to be called coursework). Students gain the skills and knowledge that enable them to be ready for further study at KS 5.
Level1/2 Hospitality and Catering
Students taking the vocational Hospitality and Catering develop an understanding of different types of providers, legislation, food safety and the roles and responsibilities within the sector. They also develop practical skills for planning, preparing, cooking and presenting nutritional dishes to meet clients’ needs. The course is designed to support students who want to learn about this vocational sector and the potential it can offer them for their careers or further study. It is taught as a foundation for further study. This further study would provide learners with the opportunity to develop a range of specialist and general skills that would support their progression to employment.
Curriculum Enrichment
A KS3 cookery club and technology club happen after school. In cookery club pupils explore food around the world making traditional dishes from a range of countries and regions. In technology club pupils explore materials and technologies through a series of workshops and practical tasks. Students should see their teachers if they wish to attend.
At KS 4 students can attend a DT club where they work with a wide range of materials and techniques. Students also have the opportunity to attend enrichment sessions focused on improving students’ knowledge and understanding of the subjects.
Homework
At KS3 pupils are set homework linked to their classroom projects that include research based tasks, practicing key skills, and embedding knowledge.
At KS4 pupils are set homework that specifically supports their progress in the qualification they have opted for, which includes exam preparation and practice as well as work to support their internally assessed tasks.
All homework is posted on the school’s Show My Homework website. Students must see their teacher for extra help or explanations, prior to deadlines, if they are struggling to complete homework.
Career Opportunities
Design &Technology: This subject is ideal for those planning to work in areas such as construction, engineering, product design and architecture.
Hospitality & Catering: This subject is ideal for those wishing to pursue a career in the hospitality and catering sector including all businesses that provide food, beverages, and/or accommodation services. This includes restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, hospitals and sports venues.
Exams
Exam Board: WJEC
Course Title: Lveel1/2 Award in Hospitality and Catering
Specification code: 5569QA
Exam Board: Edexcel
Course Title: GCSE Design & Technology
Specification code: 1DT0 Option Code: 1DT0/1F
Support for exams
Links to useful websites:
Food & Nutrition
https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/
http://www.hse.gov.uk/catering/index.htm
https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/key-regulations
Design & Technology
http://www.design-technology.info/home.htm
http://designmuseum.org/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zb6h92p
