Design and Technology

Our teachers deliver an exciting and creative curriculum to inspire future innovators and encourage creativity, independent thinking and problem solving that provides opportunities for students to experiment with a range of media and materials.

Year 7, 8 and 9 students

In Year 7 students are introduced Design and Technology. Their learning focuses on health and safety, the workshop environment and the use of tools and equipment. Project learning is skills based and links to computer-aided design and manufacturing.

Students develop a thorough understanding of the design and making process and includes the analysis of project briefs, conducting appropriate research, designing sketches and technical drawings, and using software to model ideas. Students manufacture their own products in the school’s workshop using hand tools, industrial machinery and computer aided manufacturing (CAM).

Throughout their learning during Years 7, 8 and 9 students learn about a range of materials including wood, plastic and food. As part of their work with food, our students learn how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating. Learning about how to cook is a crucial life skill to enable students to feed themselves and others both affordably and well. Our lessons are linked to the world of work and introduces students to future career opportunities.

Year 10 and 11 students

Our curriculum prepares students to find their place confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. They gain awareness and learn from the influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students get the opportunity to create, design, make and apply their technical and practical learning.

The GCSE in Design and Technology allows students to study design and making principles and study specialist technical principles in greater depth.

Hospitality and Catering

Studying for the Level 1 / 2 Vocational Award in Hospitality and Catering our students learn about hospitality and catering operations and the importance of nutrition and food safety. They also develop an understanding food preparation, problem-solving, organisational, time management, planning and communication skills.