Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous, knowledge and practical based subject. Using creativity and imagination, our pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as English (reading, spelling, writing subject specific comprehensions), mathematics (measurements, quantities, percentages, areas and volumes), science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, become resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High quality and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture wealth and wellbeing of the nation.
Key stage three units of work are sequenced to ensure pupils learn the foundations of the subject that they are expected to know and understand by the time they reach KS4. This prepares the pupils by giving them a foundation of knowledge to build and expand upon in Year 10 and 11 and KS5.
Projects and tasks are designed to allow all pupils to access the skills required via differentiated Pathways and challenges including resources and teacher guidance and support. Long and medium term plans are designed to ensure all areas of knowledge and skills are covered over the course of KS3 and KS4 allowing pupils to meet the high standards of the new Design Technology standards set by the national curriculum. Through the collaboration with neighbouring schools, we have had opportunities to share ideas and good practice with primary and secondary school links.
KS3: Pupils rotate through three specialist areas (Design technology, Textiles and Food) comprising the knowledge curriculum and practical based skills through one project per term. Knowledge organisers have been carefully designed to enhance knowledge where pupils are required to revise one section per week and are then tested using low stakes quizzes at the start of each lesson.
KS4: Pupils are taught through units (knowledge and coursework based) and projects using a variety of online and textbook resources. The faculty also has a range of machinery and equipment to support the vast level of practical skills that students develop over KS3 and KS4.
Throughout the year, we provide opportunities for our pupils to go on educational visits that enhance and supports the learning in the classroom. These include industrial links to retail head offices, universities, galleries and museums.
Pupil assessments are formally logged once a term using GO4schools but more regular assessments are also recorded to enable the tracking of progress and for when intervention needs to be actioned to students who are underachieving.
The design technology department has a wide variety of resources across the subject disciplines including a variety of subject specific text books, designated ICT suite used for computer aided design and manufacture and written coursework units which are printed to our own high quality colour printer. We also have a new laser cutter allowing students to create higher quality outcomes.
Monitoring and evaluation of the department is achieved through the department improvement plan based on the SIP, lesson reviews, learning and focus walks and performance management reviews. Our department has recently gained a new Governor who will meet the HOF/HOD once a term to also review monitoring and evaluating of the faculty through the school improvements plan.
Reading and writing is continually being developed in our faculty. Students read from text books and are given tasks such as written comprehensions and research based written coursework.
For students who require additional support or intervention, we provide a range of provision including some TA support on a 1:1 level, weekly homework/coursework catch up clubs, differentiated pathways for projects and review exam board specifications to continue researching new and suitable courses.
Our student outcomes consistently meet or exceed the national average across the subject specialisms. The faculty staff are extremely dedicated to ensuring our pupils achieve their highest potential. Target grades, predicted grades are continually monitored to identify progress and where support is needed.
The A level courses we offer provide a smooth transition on to the 6th form where students feel supported and familiar with the high level of expectation and encouragement they receive. Student feedback across all year groups tell us that they feel valued and enjoy their learning.
Feedback from the current group 7X1:
‘I wish we had more than one lesson a week. It’s my favourite subject!’, ‘I really enjoy the challenge and feel supported by the teachers.’, ‘Even though the work is sometimes hard, I think we are given plenty of resources to help us.’ ‘You taught us so it felt easy to understand, even though it was hard.’
A recent year 11 leaver left feedback stating,
‘Thank you so much for all your help with my coursework. You have always been cheerful and enthusiastic as well as pushing me to get the highest possible marks. Thank you so much over the past few years.’ - Susan Lomax