Design & Technology

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

Abraham Lincoln

The reasoning behind this ‘Curriculum Intent’ is to inform the wider audience about the value and purpose of our subject in today’s modern school and curriculum.  We, as a staff and team understand and value the importance of Technology in today’s society. We also recognise that there is still a perception that our subject is simply about ‘cooking/making’ and being in a traditional ‘woodworking environment’. And yet we are so much more than that. 

The subject as a whole consists of 3 strands which are; Product Design, Graphic Design and Food Preparation and Nutrition. Our students engage and complete a range of projects based around these areas at KS3. At KS4, students will be able to select a GCSE, or equivalent, in one of these areas. This will allow them to fully develop and refine their skill set. Together, we aim to provide a balanced, exciting, creative and an inspiring curriculum which enables our students to build skills, knowledge and concepts that can be incorporated into a number of cross curricular subjects and activities. Most notably, important life lessons integral to a healthy wellbeing, will be gained. We believe that although not all students will continue their education or career in Design Technology, they will be important consumers whose decisions will have an impact on the world around them, and it is our duty to help provide a sustainable and better future for all. 

A Business and Economic report this year listed the top 10 skills employers would be looking for in 2021. These were: Complex problem solving, Critical thinking, Creativity, People Management, Co-ordinating with others, Emotional Intelligence, Judgement and Decision Making, Service Orientation, Negotiation, Cognitive Flexibility.   As we went through this list, we realised this was a description of what the Design and Technology curriculum offers naturally in our lessons and projects. We endeavour to demonstrate this throughout our students education with us at Saddleworth School. 

We as a department are excited to take our students forward in their next steps through their educational journey. 

• SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
• PLAN
• DESIGN
• MODIFY
• MAKE
• REVIEW