Design, Technology & Engineering (DTE)

Reception - Year 2

Design and make opportunities are identified by our early years teachers as part of the existing schemes of work and are completed within the topic being studied. Children begin to construct, stacking blocks vertically, horizontally, making enclosures and creating spaces.

They join construction pieces together to build and balance. Soft materials are marked, cut and assembled and children learn that tools can be used for a purpose.

Our more able children are able to develop their ideas and investigate the possibilities of a range of materials and process. They can use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes.

Years 3 & 4

Dedicated time is allocated within purpose built design and make rooms. A strong emphasis on creativity continues with a more structured ‘Design and Technology’ approach to studies. Designing, assembling and constructing using a range of materials forms the basis for most projects.

Projects are quite short for this age group, lasting only a few weeks before moving onto a new project. These might include making a 3D castle as part of their work in History or creating a 3D clay piece of a mythical creature as part of their study into Ancient Greece.

Years 5 & 6

Design and make opportunities encompass a far widened range and choice of material at this stage, with a strong emphasis on learning new skills demanded by these materials and using new tools and equipment to complete tasks. Group work and pair work is introduced for some tasks. Testing and evaluating final projects becomes a more important part of the design process.

Projects in Year 5 include working in a team using structural engineering to create the tallest tower and designing and manufacturing a desk tidy to be sold at the Tate Modern using geometry as the inspiration for the design and form.  

Moving into Year 6, pupils will study design movements of the past to support the influence for their design for a storage box with sliding lid.  They will also develop their communication skills by exploring designing using isometric as the drawing tool.  Alongside this they will use Computer Aided Design (CAD) skills to enhance their work.

Years 7 & 8

Design and Make opportunities become open-ended to maximise problem-solving and creativity. Further new materials are introduced and processes ensure that our most able students are fully challenged.

Group challenge projects ensure pupils learn to work in a team and evaluate their own work and the work of others. Year 7 pupils explore and develop their electronics skills by creating a mood light and producing the packaging and graphics for the advertising of the launch of their new product.  They also use AI software to enhance their architectural CAD designs for a new sustainable housing development.  Finally they understand the importance of prototyping in the iterative design process.  

Year 8 pupils then use this experience to take on a complete design and make an assignment that mirrors the Non-Exam Assessment that Year 11 D&T pupils complete.

Year 9

The Senior School workshops are extensive and offer a wide range of processes for the pupils to experience.

In Year 9, all students are given the maximum exposure to wood, metal and plastic  prior to being given the option to study the subject at GCSE Level. Projects in Year 9 might include a traditional wooden box to focus on wood joints, and a  sound amplifier  designed to incorporate electronics.

Graphics skills are developed to help students better communicate their ideas and CAD/CAM is an integral part of students’ design work.

Additional activities are provided for those that wish to follow them, with scholarships available In Year 7 and Year 9 for the most gifted pupils.

Years 10 & 11

Students follow a Resistant Materials GCSE course which focuses upon the use of wood, metal and plastics skills, as well as designing skills. The GCSE includes several minor practical projects in Year 10 with a major project in Year 11 worth 50% of the overall GCSE.

Workshops are open during Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons to support students in the efforts to achieve high grades, with two technicians always on hand to support pupils.

Top students are entered for a nationally recognised Arkwright scholarship.

Years 12 & 13

DTE is offered as an option at A Level or as part of the IB Diploma. Coursework projects are identified by students themselves to give freedom of design choice, ensuring motivations are kept high and a requirement for students to develop independence in the workshops. 

Students are supported by two dedicated technicians for their coursework practicals.

Learning of processes is achieved through small projects where possible, such as a storage container unit and a 3D printed Phone Stand project to support graphics learning and CAD/CAM.

Strong links with local industry are maintained such that the curriculum can be supported by industrial visits.

Advice on careers is offered, highlighting suitable university courses that might suit individual interests and skill sets.