Design and Technology
In an inspiring and interactive environment, students will together use their creativity, imagination and practical skills to design and innovate products that will solve real and relevant problems.
'In design and technology pupils combine practical and technological skills with creative thinking to design and make products and systems that meet human needs. They learn to use current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments. They learn to think creatively and intervene to improve the quality of life, solving problems as individuals and members of a team.'
Our aims of the teaching and study of Design and Technology are to encourage and enable students to:
- Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
- Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users.
- Critique, evaluate and test their ideas, products and work of others.
- Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.
During the teaching of Design and Technology a wide range of new skills will be acquired. Through the evaluation of past and present design, the students will develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world; gaining an appreciation that is an ongoing cycle of evaluation and re-invention.
About the Department
The Design & Technology Department is part of the Creative Technologies Faculty. The department housing five dedicated, state of the art teaching rooms and a fully equipped ICT area, including computer-aided design and manufacturing facilities. Each room has been equipped with modern facilities for the teaching of food and nutrition, design and technology as well as engineering.
The department has been designed with the students in mind to provide them with the best possible opportunities. The department has access to leading edge technologies such as Laser Cutting, 3 D Printing, CNC Machining, to name a few.
We have three full-time specialist teachers, one part-time teacher, along with a supportive department technician, all of whom work hard to help students develop as individuals and become creative thinkers and effective problem solvers.
The department also takes an active role each year in the KMF Young Engineer of the Year competition against all local schools in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire. In 2018 the school has been tasked with designing, building and racing an electric-powered race car. The build and design process sees students pull together skills and knowledge from Maths, Design & Technology and Science subjects.
Progression from studying DT
From studying Design and Technology subjects in KS4, you can go on to study design A-Level or a BTEC Level 3 which specialises in an area of design technology. This can lead to studying all sorts of subjects at University or onto exciting art based apprenticeships. For example:
- Ceramics designer;
- Design Engineer;
- Exhibition designer;
- Fashion designer;
- Furniture conservator/restorer;
- Furniture designer;
- Glass blower/designer;
Check out the range of apprenticeships here for which you need good design skills or take a look at some more information about design based degrees here.
Studying design technology can lead you to study a wide variety of subjects at University. Such as:
- Animation;
- Graphic Design;
- Architect;
- Civil Engineering.
Have a look at the UCAS website to see how many different combinations you can do.
Key Stage 4
At the Academy, we offer a variety of GCSE and V cert qualifications for our year 10 and 11 students. These include…
GCSE AQA Design & Technology in
- Product Design Technology
V CERTS: NCFE Level 1/2 Award in
- Engineering Studies
WJEC Level 1 / 2 Award
- Hospitality and Catering
The GCSE; V Cert qualifications and WJEC Levels give our students the skills and abilities to engage positively with the designed and made world and to harness the benefits of technology. It will also provide a strong foundation for other work-based training opportunities such as apprenticeships.