Design & Technology
Head of Department
Miss L Parkinson
Qualifications
- BSc(Hons) Consumer Product Science
- PGCE in Design Technology: Food Technology
“Design and technology should be the subject where mathematical brainboxes and science whizz kids turn their bright ideas into useful products.”
James Dyson
From Michelin star chefs, to automotive engineers and architects to carpenters, mechanics and electricians. All of these careers and many more have design and technology at their core.
By studying the design and technology curriculum pupils will be ready for any creative industry they choose to pursue in the future.
Design and technology will offer young people an inspiring, challenging and practical curriculum to support pupils to think creatively and problem solve both as individuals and as members of a team. We encourage pupils to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products and dishes that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs.
At Pleckgate, the subject areas of design and technology allow pupils to design and create high quality products. Technology puts skills into real life practical situations. Skills such as time management, problem solving, organising teams and an understanding of the value of resources, are developed throughout the curriculum. Pupils deepen their understanding at key stage three by spending time in both hospitality and catering and product design allowing pupils to study important life skills.
Key Stage Three – Design, Make and Evaluate
At key stage three, we offer a range of specialised subjects that allow pupils to further their skills and knowledge. The structure of the curriculum is built on the pillars of design, make and evaluate. Pupils have the opportunity to apply these areas within their lessons and they will build the knowledge and skills within the curriculum to create their own products.
Design – Pupils will design products. They will collect research on products and analyse products to help them to begin to think of their own ideas. Pupils will then create specifications and apply these points to their own designs. Pupils will then use these designs to help create prototypes.
Make – Pupils will use a wide selection of materials, tools and equipment to make their products. They will use skills and knowledge to ensure the making process is correct. They will test their making at stages during the manufacturing process and adapt their products as necessary to create a fully functioning product
Evaluate – Pupils reflect on the design and making stages and consider the positives of these processes and what they can change for future creations. Pupils will also gain the views of clients to test their products.
Hospitality and Catering
The subject of Hospitality and catering allows for practical experiences, cooking and life skills to develop independence, manage a budget and meet deadlines. The food curriculum has been specifically designed considering the diverse population of the school community. Skills learnt at KS3 may then be developed further with the study of hospitality and catering where high-level practical skills are the key to success along with knowing how to run a catering business successfully.
Pupils make a wide selection of dishes within their lessons and these are mainly savoury products as this meets the requirements of the National Curriculum. In Year 7 pupils make dishes to develop their practical skills and become confident with knife skills, using the oven and also weighing out recipes. In Year 8 pupils develop their practical skills further and create dishes from fresh ingredients. They will learn how ingredients work together to create a dish, for example, they will make shortcrust pastry and then use this as a base to make a quiche. In Year 9 pupils develop products with creativity and flair and learn how to adapt meals to meet the needs of individuals. They also learn about the importance of buying locally sourced ingredients and reducing food miles.
Design Technology
The Design Technology curriculum is sequenced so that pupils can confidently and successfully participate in an increasingly technological world and to be aware of wider influences of design and technology; including historical, innovative, social/cultural, environmental and economic factors. Pupils demonstrate high quality written communication, sketching and annotation as well as extending practical skills. Pupils can also enjoy enrichment activities and competitions through our links with local colleges and BAE Systems. They also study the work of famous designers and innovators and the impact of technology and the role that designers have on the future of our planet and ecosystems.
Health and Social Care
The subject of Health and social care allows pupils to understand how the six life stages influence the physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs of people. Pupils evaluate the impact of life events and then consider the seven care values in a care setting and the barriers to care services. The written examination allows pupils to deepen their understanding of health and wellbeing and how this can be improved to enable people to live a healthier lifestyle.
The design and technology curriculum links successfully with other STEM subjects in school such as mathematics and science. Pupils gain an insight into how these subjects work together and how they can develop their knowledge and understanding of the future. This is an exciting time to demonstrate the importance of STEM and how STEM can help to build and create a technological world for the next generation of young people.
Hospitality and Catering – Learning Journey
- Hospitality and Catering – Year 7 – Learning Journey
- Hospitality and Catering – Year 8 – Learning Journey
- Hospitality and Catering – Year 9 – Learning Journey
- Hospitality and Catering – Year 10 – Learning Journey
- Hospitality and Catering – Year 11 – Learning Journey
Health and Social Care – Learning Journey
Design Technology – Learning Journey
- Design Technology – Year 7 – Learning Journey
- Design Technology – Year 9 – Learning Journey
- Design Technology – Year 10 – Learning Journey
- Design Technology – Year 11 – Learning Journey
Please note, every subject exercise book your child has contains a subject ‘Pleckgate Learning Journey’ that outlines the content covered, timelines and assessment points for the current year.
