Design Technology Design Technology Department Intent Our aim in the Design Technology Department is to give all students the knowledge and skills to engage positively with the designed and made world, and to harness the benefits of technology. Students gain knowledge into how products and systems are designed and manufactured, build skills on how to be innovative and to make creative use of a variety of resources, including digital technologies, to improve the world around them. “Design technology is a phenomenally important subject. Logical, creative and practical, it’s the only opportunity students have to apply what they learn in maths and science – directly preparing them for a career in engineering. Policy-makers must recognise design and technology’s significance for the UK economy and strive not just to preserve it – but to ensure it appeals to the brightest of young minds.” – James Dyson The Design Technology Curriculum The Design Technology Department currently offers two different disciplines at both key stages. These are Design Technology: Resistant Materials and Food Preparation and Nutrition. Key Stage 3 Design Technology KS3 Design Technology curriculum consists of projects that enables students to: operate safely in a workshop use each piece of equipment independently in the workshop research, design and model according to a specific brief Key Stage 3 Food Preparation and Nutrition The KS3 Food Preparation and Nutrition course consists of practical cooking lessons that are supported by theory lessons that focus on: health and safety in the kitchen nutrition and healthy eating special diets, cultures, religions and food labelling Key Stage 4 Design Technology Students need to complete a Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) and a theory based final exam. The theory part of the course covers such areas as Manufacturing, Robotics, Sustainability, Energy Generation, Natural World and Designers. As part of the NEA, students research and investigate the theme, in order to find a design problem to solve. As a designer, they consider the design problem from the point of view of a potential client/customer, leading to a design brief and specification. They produce a series of designs and develop one or more, leading to a final manufactured prototype. This will be then tested and evaluated. Key Stage 4 Food Preparation and Nutrition Students need to complete a Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) and a theory based final exam. The theory part of the course enables students continue to develop their knowledge of ingredients, dietary requirements, manufacturing processes and designing. The NEA tasks include a Food Investigation Task and a Food Preparation Task. The Food Investigation Task tests knowledge, learning and understanding of the science of food preparation and cooking food. The Food Preparation Task includes students demonstrating their knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to the planning, preparation, cooking, and presentation of food and application of nutrition related to the chosen task. DT Roadmap Food Tech Roadmap New for September 2026 Construction Hospitality and Catering Enrichment Activities The Hive – afterschool club where students can take part in a range of food, Design Technology or textiles activities Junior Technician programme GCSE Study Sessions for KS4 students to further their studies ‘Bake Off’ competition ‘Let’s Get Cooking’ competition How to Support your Child’s Learning You can support your child by asking questions about what they have made or cooked in school. Ask them about why or how they have produced the final product. Encourage your child to be inquisitive about how things work or have been made. Where to visit (click on the links for a virtual visit) The Design Museum London V&A Museum London Legoland Discovery Centre (Trafford Centre) London Transport Museum National Railway Museum York British Motor Museum Cadbury’s World Birmingham Restaurants serving foods from around the world What to watch Great British Bake Off – shows how each contestant approaches the brief with different design ideas and the final presentation of each dish Master Chef – demonstrates how to multi task and produce high end dishes in a short period of time Top Gear – demonstrates the final product after a series of designs and upgrades How It’s Made: You Tube/Discovery Channel – detailed look at the manufacturing process Grand Designs – individuals design and then manage a project from start to finish Food Unwrapped – presenters travel the world to explore the industry secrets behind our favourite food Snackmasters – top chefs take on the challenge of recreating some of our most popular snacks The Great British Sewing Bee – amateur sewers take on a range of challenges to be crowned Britain’s most creative sewer Repair Shop – look in the detail of how things work and how to bring them back to life What to read Making Mechanical Toys by Rodney Peppe Automata & Mechanical Toys by Rodney Peppe The Total Inventors Manual by Sean Michael Regan Woodwork – The Complete Step by Step from DK The Design Thinking Toolbox Quick and Delicious by Gordon Ramsay How Baking Works by Paula I Figoni Real Food 30 Minute Cook by Nigel Slater White Heat by Marco Pierre White The Ultimate Student Cookbook by Superbeans.com Good Food Magazine (free content online) The Science of Cooking by Dr Stuart Farrimond Online www.technologystudent.com www.foodafactoflife.org.uk www.bbcbitesize.co.uk www.greatbritishchefs.com www.design-technology.org Careers ArchitectureCAD DesignCateringChefEngineeringFarming Food HygieneFood ScienceFood Technology Graphic DesignHospitalityJoineryMechanicsPlasteringProduct Development Technical SupportTeaching Curriculum Overview – KS3 and KS4 Design Technology
