Intent

Design and technology offers pupils and opportunity to excel in ways they may not in other academic areas.  Pupils collaborate with one another, share ideas, explore a variety of mediums and techniques, but ultimately produce an object at the end of each project which they can be proud of.  Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products which solve real life problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own along with other’s needs.  Lessons link with many other areas of the curriculum, for example, speaking and listening skills from English.  We aim to provide pupils with a platform to express themselves in an alternative and non-verbal format.

Implementation

Our lessons provide a heavy focus on sensory learning.  Design Technology is a fantastic subject for experimentation and allows pupils to explore a variety of methods of producing a finished product.  Fine motor skills and co-ordination are developed naturally during each project.  We encourage an evaluation of past and present examples of design and technology, which demonstrates to pupils how this subject can impact both their daily lives and the wider world.  Lessons are tailored to a variety of abilities, aiming to extend each pupil’s learning to enable their achievements to exceed their expectations. 

We facilitate extended learning for Years 10 and 11, along with some Year 8’s, at Further Education Colleges - where they can experience an extended health & beauty, woodwork, photography and music production curriculum.

Impact

We sincerely hope that the skills learnt during Design Technology lessons will stay with pupils throughout their lives and be a positive benefit to them.  Achievements are celebrated and reinforced; pupils are encouraged to critically appraise their work with peers to enable progression with each completed task.  Additionally, pupils are taught the importance of health and safety, safe working practices and risk assessments.