Key Staff
Head of Department: Ms P Courtois
Course Information
Design & Technology is studied in Years 7-9. Pupils work on a rotation system studying three projects a year across Design & Technology and Food & Nutrition. Pupils can continue to study within the field of Design & Technology or Food & Nutrition in Years 10-11 as an option subject. The option choices available include GCSE Design & Technology, Cambridge National Level 1/ 2 in Engineering and GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition.
KS4 Design & Technology – What will I learn?
Component 01: Principles of Design and Technology (exam)
This section covers the essential ‘core’ principles every student needs, as well as more detailed principles linked to the materials and systems you’ll work with in practical projects.
You’ll learn to:
• Analyse existing products and understand what makes them successful.
• Apply mathematical skills in real design contexts.
• Show your core design and technical knowledge.
• Use your knowledge of materials and manufacturing to analyse the design process behind a product.
Some topics will also involve maths and science, helping you see how these subjects connect to real-world design.
Component 02/03: Iterative Design Challenge
This is your chance to take on a creative, hands-on project. You’ll explore a user’s needs, develop solutions, and test how well they work. There are no limits on the materials or processes you can use, so you can really push your ideas.
You’ll create a detailed portfolio and final prototype(s) to show your skills in:
• Exploring needs and requirements.
• Creating innovative solutions.
Course Guides