Design & Technology

Curriculum Intent

Design and Technology (D&T) provides students with the opportunity to develop their creative and technical capability by combining designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding. At our school, we place a strong emphasis on producing high-quality outcomes. We believe that when students experience success through creating well-made, functional products, it builds confidence, pride, and a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship. 

A key aim of D&T is to prepare young people for life in a technological society. This includes developing their ability to think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions about the products they use and create. The subject encourages students to consider the wider impact of design, including environmental, social, and ethical factors. 

Core activities in D&T include investigative, disassembly, and evaluative tasks that help students understand how products work and how they can be improved. Focused practical tasks are used to develop specific skills and deepen knowledge in areas such as materials and components, control systems (mechanical, electrical, electronic, and pneumatic), and structural design. Students are also taught the importance of achieving quality in their work and maintaining high standards of health and safety in the workshop. 

While D&T has its own body of knowledge, it draws on and contributes to other curriculum areas such as science, mathematics, art and design, business education, information technology, environmental education, and economic and industrial understanding. This interdisciplinary approach enriches students’ learning and helps them see the relevance of their skills in a broader context. 

Design and Technology also provides a platform for students to apply value judgments—whether aesthetic, economic, moral, social, or technical—both in their own designs and when evaluating existing products. It fosters teamwork and collaboration, encouraging students to communicate their ideas effectively through verbal discussion, graphical representation, and physical modelling. These communication skills are essential to the design process and help students move from concept to creation with clarity and purpose. 

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  download_for_offlinePATHWAY KS3