Design Technology is an inspiring, innovative and practical subject. Using creativity and their imagination, students design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.
Students learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising, independent and capable individuals. They evaluate past and present design and technology, developing a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. Design Technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation and around the world.
Lower School
On entering the Design Technology department, pupils will enjoy a well-equipped and very creative environment. Throughout Years 7 and 8 all pupils have a weekly double lesson where they complete a full range of carefully selected projects which introduce new techniques, materials and processes.
Middle School and GCSE
During Year 9 pupils continue to experience a wide range of projects, offering a real challenge to all levels of ability and providing many of the foundation skills for those pupils who continue to study the subject at GCSE. A large number of the year group decide to study Design Technology at GCSE level when pupils initially complete a range of short task projects. All pupils soon learn to appreciate the advantages of time management and independent thinking whilst experiencing a considerable range of tools, materials, processes and problem solving in the Design Studio, Workshop and ICT environments. The GCSE consists of 50% coursework and 50% final exam. The Design Technology department enjoys considerable success at GCSE, and a number of pupils obtain an engineering scholarship from the Arkwright Foundation.
Sixth Form and A Level
A Level Design Technology appeals to a wide range of pupils. The course has proven to support many areas of future study from all aspects of Design, to Architecture and Engineering, and even Medicine.
Both AS and A2 Level consist of 50% coursework and 50% final exam. The Design Technology Department enjoys much success at this level and retains the Grade A as their average result.
Design Technology student stories
Exam results
The average of the results in Design Technology over the most recent three year period (2023, 2022, 2021) is:
| GCSE | |
| 9 | 14% |
| 9-8 | 45% |
| 9-7 | 71% |
| 9-4 | 100% |
| A Level | |
| A* | 13% |
| A* – A | 59% |
| A* – B | 84% |
