Design and Technology

The Curriculum Purpose 

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, students design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Students acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.

Students learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation. The Design & Technology curriculum is sequenced in a spiral from Key Stage 3 to 5, revisiting previous learning and adds new knowledge that is stage appropriate. Commonly knowledge is taught initially in a declarative state, which become procedural knowledge as each year becomes more complex.

 

Key concepts that underpin the subject area 

At Key Stage 3, our key concepts are:

• Design
• Make
• Technical Knowledge
• Evaluate
• Food Preparation & Nutrition

 

GCSE Design & Technology, our key concepts are:

• Core technical principles
• Specialist technical principles (focusing on timbers, polymers and papers & boards)
• Designing and making principles

 

GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition, our key concepts are:

• Nutrition and health
• Food science
• Food safety
• Food choice
• Food provenance
• Preparation skills

For A Level Design & Technology: Product Design, our key concepts are:

• Technical principles
• Designing and making principles.

 

Key Features of Learning

Our department has 5 Design & Technology Teachers and 2 Technicians, delivering lessons in purpose-built classrooms. The Compton School was a Technology College and the legacy continues, we have a workshop with specialist machinery, a food room with a blast chiller, a textiles room and a graphics room filled with a 3D printing suite. For students to be LEARNing ready, we ask that students attend lessons with a pencil case, colouring pencils, glue sticks and a calculator. 

 

• To have uncompromising aspirations for every individual and for our school to be an exceptional and inspirational community of lifelong learners.
• To ensure all students have the knowledge to critically engage with the conversation of humankind.
• In a world based on design, humanity is a force beyond nature. It is the destiny of the younger generation to solve the problems that humankind has created. On a planet with finite resources, every product has an impact. Students’ inquisitive minds are encouraged to take risks, become resourceful, innovative, independent problem solvers. Learning from these influences in the past & present for a better future.
• To encourage imaginative students that learn to design and make products that solve genuine, relevant problems within different contexts.
• To understand and appreciate how we interact with all subjects within the school.

 

What will you see in Design & Technology lessons

• Adaptive teaching for all students.
• Routines are a key for a safe working environment.
• Engagement and participation by all.
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Challenge and problem solving
• Imagination
• Opportunities for students to articulate ideas verbally and improve their oracy.
• High expectations for all students.
• Students will receive a range of praise, (e.g. verbal and postcards sent home).
• Sanctions where necessary for classroom management.

 

What will you see in Design & Technology books

• Progression
• DIRT feedback
• Peer feedback
• Exam style questions
• Communication – written and visual
• Analysis, Evaluation and reflection

 

What formative assessment will you see in Design & Technology

• Students will complete a range of written and electronic tests (e.g. spelling tests focusing on subject specific terminology).
• Teachers use a range of questioning techniques to assess understanding (e.g. hinge questioning).
• Students complete end of topic tests in each discipline.

 

What extra-curricular is available from the Design & Technology?

Key Stage 3:

• Cooking Club
• Garden Club
• Table Top Gaming Club
• Photography Club
• D&T Design & Make Club

Key Stage 4 & 5:

• Each classroom is available for all students to continue working on their NEA outside of lesson time.
• KS4 and 5 students support in KS3 clubs.