The Design & Technology Faculty teaches strands of the design and technology curriculum to Key Stage 3 students and offers design and technology and hospitality and catering to students in Key Stage 4.

The faculty has specialised rooms for each of the different areas of the curriculum, which are fully resourced and utilized by our students. We aim for students to leave school not just with qualifications, but with skills for life.

A brief overview of the topics covered by the faculty

Topics overview

DT – Food Technology

Aims & Objectives

Students in Years 7 and 8 are on a carousel in DT and will move across different material areas at the end of each term.

Year 7

Food Technology in Year 7

  • Hygiene & Health
  • Cooking Skills
  • Food & Nutrition
Year 8

Food Technology in Year 8

  • Introduction to Food & Nutrition
  • Baking Skills
  • Cooking Skills
Year 9

Food Technology in Year 9

  • Students will learn advanced food safety including the requirements for bacterial division and how to prevent it.
  • Students will learn about the qualities to look for when buying foods and the correct storing conditions for different ingredients.
  • Students will gain an understanding of the effects of different cooking methods on nutrients and investigate food labelling regulations.
  • Students will prepare and cook a variety of higher level dishes.

DT – Graphics

Aims & Objectives

Students in Years 7 and 8 are on a carousel in DT and will move across different material areas at the end of each term.

Year 7

Graphics in Year 7

  • Introduction to Graphics
  • Typography & Poster Design
  • Branding & Logo Creation
  • Packaging & Teamwork
Year 8

Graphics in Year 8

  • Music Branding Project
  • CAD/CAM Skills
  • Merchandise Design

DT – Product Design

Aims & Objectives

Students in Years 7 and 8 are on a carousel in DT and will move across different material areas at the end of each term.

Year 7

Product Design in Year 7

  • Health & Safety
  • Manufacturing
Year 8

Product Design in Year 8

  • Understanding Thermoforming & Thermosetting
  • Designing – Inspirational Clock Designing
  • Manufacturing Specifications
  • Manufacturing Outcome
Year 9

Product Design in Year 9

  • Hook & Plaque Project

DT – Textiles

Aims & Objectives

Students are on a carousel in DT in Years 7 and 8 and will move across different material areas at the end of each term.

In Year 9, students have 2 timetabled lessons per fortnight, delivered across two different material areas. As a result, students work with each technology teacher once per fortnight.

Year 7

Textiles in Year 7

  • Fibres & Fabrics
  • Health & Safety
  • Embroidery Skills
  • Surface Decoration Skills
Year 8

Textiles in Year 8

  • Pop Art Cushions/Pop Art Shoes
Year 9

Textiles in Year 9

Students work independently and choose one of two themes:

  • Food & Drink
  • Flora & Fauna

This unit introduces students to designing from a single starting point or theme.

Throughout the unit, students will experiment with a wide range of tools, techniques and materials to develop and present a well-crafted, thoughtful outcome.

Faculty Courses

Design & Technology

Aims & Objectives

GCSE (9-1) Design & Technology

The Eduqas GCSE in Design and Technology offers a unique opportunity in the curriculum for learners to identify and solve real problems by designing and making products or systems. Through studying GCSE Design and Technology, learners will be prepared to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world; and be aware of, and learn from, wider influences on design and technology, including historical, social/cultural, environmental and economic factors.

Course Structure

A mix of short answer, structured and extended writing questions assessing candidates’ knowledge and understanding of:  technical principles designing and making principles along with their ability to analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.

How it’s assessed

Written examination: 2 hours worth 50% of qualification

A sustained design and make task, based on a contextual challenge set by WJEC, assessing candidates’ ability to:  identify, investigate and outline design possibilities, design and make prototypes, analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.

How it’s assessed

Non-exam assessment: approximately 35 hours worth 50% of qualification

Hospitality & Catering

Aims & Objectives

Level 1/2 Technical Award in Hospitality and Catering

The Eduqas/WJEC Level 1/2 Award in Hospitality and Catering has been designed to support learners in schools and colleges who want to learn about this vocational sector and the potential it can offer them for their careers or further study.

This Award is equivalent to a GCSE and is graded Pass, Merit, and Distinction.

It is suitable as a foundation for further study, possibly to Level 3 in Food and Nutrition in Further Education, providing learners with a core depth of knowledge and a range of specialist and general skills that will support their progression to further learning and employment.

Course Structure

A mix of short answer, structured and extended writing questions assessing candidates’ knowledge and understanding of;

  • Hospitality and Catering Operations
  • Health and Safety
  • Food and Ill Health

How it’s assessed

  • Written examination: 90 minutes
  • 40% of qualification

The applied purpose of this unit is for learners to safely plan, prepare, cook and present nutritional dishes.

There will be a 4-hour practical exam towards the end of the course which involves learners planning and making 4 courses for a chosen target group.

How it’s assessed

  • Practical exam: 4 hours worth 60% of qualification

Textiles

Aims & Objectives

OCR Art and Design – Textile Design (J174) GCSE graded 9 – 1

Students will work on their own individual projects where they will explore ideas, experiment with media, materials, techniques and processes. They will then present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding.

Course Structure

Students select their own topic of choice and work independently with one to one teacher tutorials to create a body of experiments and work to lead on to creating a purposeful and meaningful final piece of art

How it’s assessed

  • Portfolio, non-exam assessment  worth 60%
  • (internally assessed and externally moderated)

Students are given 5 different themes set by the exam board. Students will follow the same pattern as the portfolio work but working under one of the exam board themes. The final piece of Art work is completed in 10 hours under exam conditions (spread over 3-4 days)

How it’s assessed

Externally set task, 10 hours non exam assessment worth 40%

(internally assessed and externally moderated)

Design & Technology Staff

Subject Leader of Food Technology

Mrs S Poolley
Email

Subject Leader of Textiles

Mrs C Jesson
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Teacher of Design & Technology

Ms S Simon
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Food Technician

Mrs L Minchin
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D&T Technician

Mrs S Davies
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