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Design, Technology & Engineering
| Head of Technology | Miss L Thorpe |
|---|---|
| Technology Teachers | Mrs A Wood, Mr A Mitchell, Mr N Edwards, Mrs R Hall and Mrs C Dyke |
| Support | Mrs W Coggins, Mrs J Hall, Mr C Isted |
Design and Technology: Where Ideas Take Shape
Our Design and Technology curriculum empowers students with the creativity and technical know-how to become confident, independent problem-solvers. Through hands-on projects and real-world challenges, we spark innovation, curiosity, and resilience.
From day one, students work with industry-standard tools—CAD/CAM is embedded across all key stages, ensuring fluency in digital design and manufacturing. We also offer an exciting food preparation curriculum, introduced in Year 8, that blends creativity with essential life skills.
Our purpose-built facilities include:
· Two fully equipped workshops
· Three computer suites for digital design
· A specialist food room
· A Sixth Form design studio
Design and Technology isn’t just a subject—it’s a launchpad for future engineers, designers, and creators.
Key Stage Three
At Key Stage 3, we offer our students the opportunity to experience working within the areas of Product Design and Food Preparation and Nutrition, exploring a range of materials and ingredients. Projects are designed to ensure that students gain as much knowledge of the Design and Technology national curriculum as possible following purposeful programmes of study. Students aim to ‘make a step’ following the Chelmer assessment STEP framework within the areas of Researching, Designing & Developing and Making & Evaluating.
Our projects for 2025/2026 are as follows;
Year 7
‘A Bugs Life’
Product Design
- A – Creepy Crawly CAD
- B – Paper to Pincers
- C – The Bug Hotel Project
Year 8
‘Designing from Inspiration’
Product Design
- A – Multi-Material Making
- B – Print and Packaging
Food Preparation and Nutrition
- C – Healthy Food Choices
Year 9
‘Form Over Function’
Product Design
- A – Let There Be Light!
- B – Universal Studios Design Challenge
Food Preparation and Nutrition
- C – Food Science
Key Stage Four
At Key Stage 4, our courses are designed to inspire creativity, develop technical expertise, and empower students to produce high-quality, thoughtful work. Through a variety of hands-on projects and real-world challenges, students explore materials, processes, and problem-solving in meaningful and practical ways.
We offer a range of exciting pathways to suit different interests and strengths:
- GCSE Design and Technology – Product Design
- GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition
In addition to the above, we also offer a vocational qualification designed for students interested in a career within carpentry, tiling and electronics.
- WJEC Level 2 Construction and the built environment
Key Stage Five
AQA A Level Design & Technology: Product Design
This A Level course offers a rigorous and engaging exploration of the principles behind modern product development. Students study both technical principles—such as materials science, manufacturing processes, and digital technologies—and designing and making principles, including user-centred design, iterative development, and sustainability. A major component of the course is the Non-Exam Assessment (NEA), where students independently research, design, and prototype a solution to a real-world problem, applying both creative and analytical thinking.
The course builds strong links with Science and Mathematics, particularly in areas such as materials testing, data analysis, and systems design. It also complements A Level Business, with topics like enterprise, marketing, and commercial manufacturing forming part of the curriculum. Students gain valuable experience in CAD/CAM, digital design, and project management—skills that are highly transferable to careers in engineering, architecture, industrial design, and beyond.
Assessment includes two written exams (covering technical and design principles) and the NEA project, which together provide a balanced mix of theory and practical application.
