Studying Design and Technology provides students with a PERSONALISED and INCLUSIVE learning experience that nurtures creativity, problem-solving, and practical skills. The subject allows students to explore their individual interests—whether in fashion, engineering, or sustainability—making learning more engaging and tailored to their strengths. It is inclusive by design, offering multiple ways to access and express knowledge, ensuring that all learners, regardless of background or ability, can participate meaningfully. A BALANCED curriculum in Design and Technology blends theory with hands-on practice, fostering both analytical thinking and creative expression. This approach is highly EFFECTIVE, as students learn by doing, which enhances understanding and retention while developing transferable skills like collaboration and resilience. The subject is RICH in content, exposing students to a wide range of materials, tools, technologies, and cultural perspectives, encouraging them to think critically about design’s role in society. Learning is coherent and SEQUENTIAL, with concepts building logically over time—from basic tool use to complex systems thinking—ensuring that students develop a deep and connected understanding. Ultimately, Design and Technology prepares students not just for exams, but for life, equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

At Key Stage 3, students will experience a wide range of fun and exciting projects that teach them the valuable skills in a practical setting whilst understanding different materials and how they work.

Throughout KS3, students will study 4 main areas; DT1 – these projects focus on theory linked to Construction and GCSE DT (Timbers). DT2 – These projects focus on theory linked to Engineering and GCSE DT (Electronics) Food and Textiles/Fashion

Each year students will build on skills learnt in the previous year. With year 9 being focused more on students being ready for GCSE. Students will learn theory relating to the specialism through a series of practical based projects

At Key Stage 4, Design and Technology offers students the chance to study a range of different disciplines in Food, Fashion, Engineering, Construction, Electronics, Product Design and Graphic Design.

Below are the key principles for each subject from Year 7 through to Year 11.

Food 

Food Technology teaches practical life skills by combining creativity with a focus on food, nutrition, and health, ensuring students learn to safely cook, plan meals, understand balanced diets, and appreciate the social, cultural, and environmental aspects of food. Students develop their culinary skills, learn about the functional properties and nutritional content of different ingredients, and gain knowledge in hygiene, food safety, and consumer choices to make healthy and budget-friendly meals.

Textiles / Fashion

Textiles Technology teaches students to combine practical skills with creative thinking to design and make textile products for human needs, covering areas such as fabrics, construction techniques, decorative embellishment, computer-aided design (CAD), and sustainability issues within the textile industry. Through hands-on projects, students learn to select appropriate materials, develop design ideas, and evaluate their finished textile items, fostering creative, independent, and critical thinking skills.

Electronics 

Today’s technological society is driven by electronic products. We aim to prepare students with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in this environment and to embrace the technology of the future. In their Electronics lessons, they will use a practical approach to explore individual components, create circuits and develop useful products, covering everything from simple transistor circuits to programming microcontrollers. Designing and making electronic products fosters creativity, logical thinking, problem solving and resilience, while also connecting with STEM subjects such as Physics and Computing. Ultimately, Electronics in Design and Technology equips students with the technical skills to understand and potentially shape the technological world around them.

Product Design 

When studying Product Design, students explore the full lifecycle of creating functional and innovative products—from initial concept to final prototype. They learn how to identify user needs and develop design briefs, applying creative thinking and problem-solving to generate ideas. The curriculum covers areas such as sketching, modelling, CAD (Computer-Aided Design), and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), allowing students to visualise and produce their designs using modern tools like laser cutters and 3D printers. Students also study materials and manufacturing processes, sustainability, ergonomics, and the impact of design on society and the environment. Through iterative design and evaluation, they refine their work based on feedback and testing. This subject encourages collaboration, innovation, and critical thinking, preparing students for careers in industrial design, engineering, architecture, and other creative industries

Graphic Design 

In Graphic Design, students develop both creative and technical skills to communicate ideas visually and effectively. They learn the principles of design such as composition, colour theory, typography, and layout. Through hands-on projects, students explore branding, advertising, packaging, and digital media, often working on real-world briefs that encourage problem-solving and innovation. They are taught to analyse visual communication, understand target audiences, and refine their own artistic style. The curriculum also emphasizes critical thinking, iterative design processes, and presentation skills, preparing students for further education or careers in fields such as graphic design, UX/UI, marketing, and visual arts

Engineering

The Vocational Award in Engineering will develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the engineering sector and provide them with opportunities to develop associated practical skills. It covers manufacturing engineering products, designing engineering products and solving engineering problems which focuses on how modern engineering has had an impact on modern day life at home, work and in society in general.

Construction

The Vocational Award in Construction and the Built Environment provides learners with a broad introduction to the different trades involved in the sector and the range of career opportunities available. Through a wide angle lense we explore the construction industry and then we focus practical skills and experience on three trades so they have the foundation of knowledge to progress within the Construction sector. 
 

 
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