Curriculum Maps can be found here

The Head of Department is Mr Taylor

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Our department Bible verse is: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7.24)

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Product Design is primarily concerned with generating ideas, refining and making them. It emphasises the practical capabilities by providing opportunities for pupils to develop their powers of innovation and to create solutions to given problems. Pupils will gain experience designing and making in a variety of materials. This is undertaken through a variety of projects which will develop their skills as they progress through the school.

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Product Design has a crucial part to play in pupils achieving these important personal competencies and life skills. It also develops pupils' awareness of communication skills whether as individuals or as part of a team.  Pupils will have an awareness of social, moral and cultural issues associated with designing products. 

The assessment descriptors for this subject at KS3 are available here.

Key Stage 4

The department promotes a creative, flexible and pupil- centred approach to designing products. Pupils have the opportunity to generate creative solutions to benefit people and the planet. The communication of ideas will be through the use of sketches, models and computer aided design. Designs can then be realised using appropriate materials, tools and machinery. Pupils will work with a variety of manufacturing techniques such as laser cutting and learn how products are made in industry.

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Design and Technology GCSE

The exam programme consists of a written exam and a major design and make task.  Pupils will study Core and specialist technical principles involving new and emerging technologies, energy generation and storage, developments in new materials, systems approach to designing, mechanical devices and materials and their working properties. In addition pupils will develop an understanding of why specific materials are selected, their sources and origins and the ecological and social footprint of manufactured products. Pupils will also make a range of products investigating primary and secondary data and study the work of other designers to inform their own designing. Pupils in their final year will be set a design challenge set by the examination board. A prototype will need to be made, then tested and evaluated using a specific target market and client.