Welcome to D&T
At the core of Design & Technology is creativity and imagination.
Working in the disciplines of Product Design (designing and making with materials such as woods, metals, plastics, papers and boards), Textiles and Food, students design and make products in different contexts to solve problems and needs.
Look around any environment - the things you see are either part of nature or they have been designed and created; the built environment, transportation, communication, electronic products, home wares, fabrics and furnishings, clothing …… all designed and manufactured by people who are experts in their field.
It is our aim that children and young people who engage in Design & Technology will be able to actively contribute to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of themselves and their community.
Specialist Design & Technology Accommodation
The Faculty has modern, purpose built accommodation, including a computer suite.
In the Main School there are four multi-purpose workshop areas for designing and making in woods, metals, plastics, papers and boards.
In the Kirk Hallam Community Academy 6th Form there is a large workshop / design area.
The workshop areas are equipped with specialist benches, both hand tools and small portable appliances, wood and centre lathes, 3D printer, laser cutters, heat processing and foundry facility.
The two Food areas are equipped with equipment to prepare and cook food such as ovens, hobs, microwaves, fridges, freezers, blast chiller.
The two Textiles rooms have CAD/CAM, sewing machines and a range of resources to cut, shape, dye and create fabric.
Design & Technology Curriculum
All our lessons take place in specialist work areas.
In Years 7 and 8 our emphasis in the Product Design, Textiles and Food disciplines is focused on designing and making in contexts that are familiar to students. Students will learn about materials and ingredients and the properties of these, and how to manipulate them by selecting the most appropriate processes, tools and equipment to make quality products.
In Year 9 students have the opportunity to specialise in Design & Technology at GCSE level, building on the learning in Years 7 and 8.
The courses available are:
GCSE Design & Technology – designing and making with woods, metals, plastics, papers and boards and textile materials. Within a specialist material area students are involved in practical tasks to learn about:
- A range of modern technologies
- Materials, smart and modern materials and their properties
- How to select the correct material or component for the task
- Protecting the environment
- Scales of production
- The source and supply of materials
- How to communicate designs ideas
- How to make prototypes to develop a product
- Working accurately to tolerance
- Specialist tools and equipment
- Manufacturing processes
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition – learning the concepts concerning food, from healthy eating principles to food preparation skills. The course involves learning about:
- Nutrition – the relationship between diet and health, nutrition and the dietary needs of different groups, energy balance, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
- Food provenance and choice – source and supply, processing and production, food security, technological developments for better health and food production, development of culinary traditions, factors influencing choices.
- Cooking and food preparation – food science, sensory properties and safety of food.
- Skills to prepare food and cooking techniques – knife skills, preparation and techniques, cooking methods, sauces, set a mixture, raising agents, dough.
Level 1 / 2 Cambridge National in Child Development – learning about the care and needs of the expectant mother and the growing infant up to 5 years of age. Broader issues of Health Education and the understanding of relationships provide focus for the course.
Set within the context of the family in society, the course explores:
- family structures and relationships
- contraception and reproduction
- foetal development
- birth and the care of the expectant mother and baby
- the emotional, social, intellectual and physical development of children
- day care provision for young children
- experience with young children
At A level we offer Product Design and Art Textiles.
The Design & Technology Team
Teaching staff:
Mrs L Forrest Smith BEd Hons Design & Technology. Head of Faculty
Mrs A Bennett BEd Hons Design & Technology. Assistant Head of Faculty
Mrs K Thompson, Design & Technology
Mr S Taylor, Design & Technology
Mrs C Linley, Food Preparation & Nutrition, PSHEE Co-ordinator
Mrs K Goddard, Design & Technology Textiles
Mrs E Gerrard, Design & Technology Textiles, Assistant Principal
The teaching staff are supported by three specialist technicians:
Mr M Berrisford, Design & Technology Technician
Mrs M Simpkins, Food Technician
Mrs J Wilson, Textiles Technology Technician
Health & Safety in Design & Technology
We take the Health and Safety of the children in our care, and that of the staff very seriously. Please help us to maintain our high standards by ensuring that:
- your child attends school wearing footwear that is suitable for practical work
- long hair is tied back securely
- you inform your child’s teacher if your child has been prescribed or is taking any over the counter medication that makes them drowsy
- false nails, nail varnish and rings are not worn
In Design & Technology we adhere to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Aprons and goggles are provided for students. Specialist Personal Protective Equipment is available should the activity require it.
The Design & Technology teachers hold appropriate health and safety certification form the Design and Technology Association
Food Technology
The Food Safety Act 1990 applies to Food Technology rooms. To adhere to health and hygiene rules students must use hygienic practice throughout lessons, including tying hair back, wearing aprons and ensuring that no jewellery, false nails or nail varnish is worn.
Mrs Linley holds a Primary Certificate in Food Hygiene - awarded by the Royal Institute of public Health and Hygiene.
Tea towels and dish cloths are washed after every lesson. If you are able to provide a clean tea towel for your child it would be appreciated.
Oven gloves are regularly checked and cleaned by staff and technician.
