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Design & Technology

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In Design Technology, we equip our students with the ability and the confidence to take an active part in creative, problem solving, and practical activities.

The Design Technology curriculum enables all pupils to enjoy and achieve success in putting their own ideas into practice.We challenge all learners, irrelevant of their starting point, to actively contribute to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of themselves, their community and their nation.

It is our intention to inspire students with a love for all things technology to allow them to become confident individuals with inquisitive minds who take risks and so become more resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable.

Students develop a critical understanding of the impact of design and technology on daily life, ensuring that students are prepared for life after school in order to thrive in the 21st century world.

Pupils develop their ability to:

  • Plan and implement complex practical projects.

  • Develop, test, evaluate and communicate their design ideas.

  • Make products, systems, and food.

  • Draw upon their understanding of materials, technology, ingredients and food processes.

  • Manage resources with a concern for the environment.

Pupils work as individuals and in groups, developing both their teamwork and their ability to function completely independently.

Key Stage 3


Years 7 to Year 9, students study all material areas of Design and Technology through project work. Each project takes between ten and thirteen weeks. Our carefully designed Key Stage 3 programme offers full coverage of the national curriculum.

Year 7

  • Photo frame (all materials)

  • Sun Dial Project (all materials)

  • Food and Nutrition - 2 rotations 

Year 8

  • Biomimicry Project (graphics and modelling)

  • Phone Stand (all materials) 

  • Food and Nutrition - 2 rotations 

Year 9

  • Lamp (electronics)

  • Food and Nutrition - 2 rotations 

Key Stage 4

We offer four subjects within Design & Technology:

  • GCSE Design & Technology
  • Level 1 and 2 Vocational Award in Engineering
  • Level 1 and 2 Vocational Award in Hospitality & Catering
  • BTEC Level 1 and 2 Tech Award in Child Development.

GCSE - Design and Technology

Component 1: External exam, comprising 50% of the total marks for the qualification.
The exam will consists of the following: Core 40% and Wood 60%.

Component 2: NEA (Non Examined Assessment), comprising 50% of the total marks for the qualification. Students will produce a 'Design and Make' project including an e-portfolio, and a practical item. The theme of the NEA is released by the exam board on the 1st June during Year 10.

Exam Board: Pearson Edexcel

For further details, please visit: Edexcel – GCSE Design & Technology

Level 1 and 2 Vocational Award in Engineering

Unit 1: Practical assessment, comprising 40% of the total qualification marks. Students will make a specific product using working drawings and their own manufacturing schedule.

Unit 2: Design task, comprising 20% of the total qualification marks. Students will re-design a product according to a specific brief set by the exam board

Unit 3: External exam, comprising 40% of the total qualification marks.

Exam Board: WJEC

For further details, please visit: WJEC Level 1 and 2 vocational award in Engineering

Level 1 and 2 Vocational Award in Hospitality & Catering

Unit 1: The Hospitality and Catering Industry. This unit is externally assessed in the form of exam, comprising 40% of the total qualification marks.

Unit 2: Hospitality and Catering in Action. This unit is internally assessed in the form of the planning,delivery and evaluation of a practical task, comprising 60% of the total qualification marks.

Exam Board: WJEC 

For further information, please visit: Student leaflet   Journey to becoming exam ready

BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Child Development

Component 1: Children’s growth and development, comprising 30% of the total qualification marks. Students are internally assessed through a controlled assessment activity.

Component 2: Learning through play, comprising 30% of the total qualification marks. Students are internally assessed through a controlled assessment activity.

Component 3: Supporting children to play, learn and develop, comprising 40% of the total qualification marks. Students are externally assessed through a 2 hour exam.

Exam Board: Pearson Edexcel

For further information, please visit: Level 1/2 tech award in child development. Child Development | BTEC Tech Awards | Pearson qualifications

Key Stage 5

A Level - Design and Technology - Product Design

Year 12 consists of a number of design and make projects in a variety of materials supported by theoretical work to develop subject knowledge and the skills needed to tackle the external exam in Year 13.

Year 13 is split into two parts:

Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology

Written examination (2 hours 30 minutes), comprising 50% of the total qualification marks. The paper includes calculations, short-open and open-response questions, as well as extended-writing questions on:

  • materials, processes, and technological developments
  • analysis and evaluation of product designs
  • wider issues in design technology, including social, moral, ethical and environmental impacts

Component 2: Independent Design and Make Project (Non-examined assessment)

This is a substantial design and make project and comprises 50% of the total qualification marks. Students design and produce a complex working prototype for a real client using a range of materials and processes.

Exam Board: Pearson Edexcel

For further details, please visit: Edexcel – A Level Design & Technology – Product Design
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