Design Technology

The First Years are part of the ‘Creative Carousel’ and will all be taught DT throughout the year. They will design and make a number of projects from phone stands to small storage boxes in pine using hand tools and CAD. At GCSE, we follow the Edexcel specification, where coursework and exam make up 50% each of the course.  At A level we again follow the Edexcel specification, 50% coursework and 50 % examination. 

All pupils are able to join the weekly workshop activity where they can explore their design and making abilities by creating products of their own choosing. Pupils will get first hand experience of using tools and machinery they may not get the chance to use in their usual classes. Many exciting and unique projects get created in these workshop activites. Pupils also have the opportunity to join the jewellery making activity where they gain expert tuition in both the designing and making of highly intricate and beautiful jewellery items. 

The opportunities for designing and making at both GCSE and A Level are huge. At GCSE, the pupils are slightly restricted in their designing by way of the themes set by the exam board.  Pupils design for a client and this leads to some really great outcomes in terms of both design portfolios and the products made. Our end of year exhibition is the showcase for these products and parents and visitors are always amazed at the quality and complexity of the projects on display.

In their first year, Design and Technology pupils embark on a hands-on journey beginning with essential workshop safety protocols. They quickly transition into technical literacy by learning to interpret working drawings. Initial practical projects include crafting custom mobile phone stands using traditional hand tools, allowing pupils to develop precision and material familiarity. To modernise their workflow, pupils utilise CAD (Computer-Aided Design) to add "eye-catching" aesthetic details to their work. The year culminates in a complex woodworking project: constructing a finger-jointed storage box from pine, integrating structural integrity with refined craftsmanship.

Studying Design and Technology equips pupils with a unique blend of creative problem-solving and technical literacy. It bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, teaching pupils how to turn abstract ideas into functional realities. By engaging with tools, CAD software, and various materials, pupils develop critical thinking through iterative prototyping. Beyond the workshop, D&T fosters an understanding of sustainability and user-centered design. Ultimately, it empowers pupils to become innovators who don't just consume technology but actively shape the world around them through thoughtful, well-engineered solutions.