In Design and Technology students learn about the design and manufacture of all sorts of products and garments; and understand why only a small number of these become design classics.

We encourage students to design and make their own working products; and provide them the opportunity to work in a specialist design discipline such as, textiles, 3D product design, graphics, jewellery, architecture, electronics and engineering. All year groups have access to the latest computer aided design and manufacturing technology and importantly, are able to match their projects and design outcomes to industry standards. Work related learning projects allow students to consider potential future career path ways – for GCSE, A level and beyond.

Students also discover how today’s designers are responding to global issues such as poverty and the environment; they develop the skills necessary to be a successful designer, architect or engineer and even make the first steps toward a rewarding career.

Visiting designers, architects and ex-students support our classes and allow students to experience what it is like to work on real life design projects and to develop and test products for a real client.

Students are encouraged to work independently, writing their own briefs and to develop their own personalised learning objectives.

The Curriculum: Keys Stage 3

Throughout each academic year, students work on a variety of projects within a range of contrasting design disciplines. They are introduced to both traditional and technologically driven making activities and are encouraged to be confident and independent users of all the workshops. During each year at key stage 3 students are set specific design-and-make tasks that allow them to build a repertoire of designing and making skills.

The Curriculum: Key Stage 4

Three D&T options are offered at GCSE: Product Design, Graphics and Textiles Technology. Problem solving, designing and making are at the heart of each GCSE option. Students set and write their own design briefs and are encouraged to identify real life needs and clients, in order to test and evaluate their design outcomes. Design outcomes are as diverse as the students and have recently included: silver jewellery; lighting and electronics; tailoring; educational toys; seating and storage solutions. Exam moderators are always complimentary and comment upon the diversity of individual projects as well as the high quality and precision making skills that the students demonstrate.

The Curriculum: Key Stage 5

Product Design with Resistant Materials and Graphics pathways A Level - Exam Board Edexcel

Fashion and Textiles - Exam Board AQA

In Product Design students learn about the design and manufacture of all sorts of products and garments; and understand why only a small number of these become design classics.  We encourage students to design and make their own working products; and provide them the opportunity to work in a specialist design discipline such as, textiles, 3D product design, graphics, jewellery, architecture, electronics and engineering.  Students  also discover how today’s designers are responding to global issues such as poverty and the environment; they develop the skills necessary to be a successful designer, architect or engineer and even make the first steps toward  a rewarding career.  Visiting designers, architects and ex-students support our classes and allow students to experience what it is like to work on real life design projects and to develop and test products for a real client.  Students are encouraged to work independently, writing their own briefs and to develop their own personalised learning objectives.

The A level curriculum

At A level we offer two distinct design pathways Product Design Resistant Materials and Graphics. In year 12 students produce a ‘creative portfolio’ consisting of several skills based projects involving design investigation, modelling and manufacturing. We encourage students to select projects that will support their specialist applications to further education – architecture, engineering, design etc. The subject is also successful in providing design projects that support students making applications in other curriculum areas; in the past year we have had students designing musical instruments and baby sleep monitors; supporting applications in Music Technology and Midwifery!   In year 13, all students research and identify specific and measurable design problems and produce and test their prototypes to industry standards.

Assessment: Edexcel Product Design with Resistant Materials and Graphics pathways 

Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology (9DT0/01)

Written exam:  2 hours – 50% of A Level. 120 marks

Component 2: Independent Design and Make Project (9DT0/02)

C/w project – 50% of A level. 120 marks

Career Pathways

Students embark on a variety of career pathways and we have recently seen them moving on to study:

• Product Design
• Design Engineering
• Art Foundation
• Mechanical engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Architecture
• Advertising and marketing
• Graphics and illustration
• Furniture design
• Eco-design
• Photography

Destinations for Further Education have recently included:

Nottingham Trent University / Manchester University / Central St Martins / Camberwell School of Art / Chelsea School of Art / Ravensbourne College of Art and Design / Cardiff University School of Architecture / Exeter University / Brunel University / Reading University / Trinity College London / London College of Communication / Goldsmith College University of London / Falmouth University School of Art and Design / Kingston University School of Art and Design

Students have also used the self-initiated design and make project to support specialist applications to a variety of further education pathways, including:

• Music at Trinity and Goldsmiths (Students have designed musical instruments; recording studios)
• Midwifery (Student designed a nursing lamp of new mothers)
• Psychology (Student designed a textiles for autistic children)
• Biotechnology (Student designed a bio-sphere)

Enrichment and Extra-Curricular activities

All of our projects allow the students opportunities for extension and enrichment activities. Working in smaller groups at lunchtime, after-school and for extended sessions on Saturday’s, students have worked in: Silver-smithing; Wood turning; Flame enamelling; Digital design skills; CAD/CAM laser cutting and Centre lathe work;

In recent years students have attended the following educational visits and workshops:

• V&A – Thomas Heatherwick exhibition
• A1 - Architectural model makers;
• Imakr - 3D printers;
• Warren Evans - Bed manufacturers;
• Park Communication – Lithographic printers and finishers;
• Design Museum - Product Analysis workshop;
• Science Museum – Plastic Fantastic exhibition and workshop;
• Arkwright woman in engineering competition awards ceremony;
• Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood;
• Unto this Last – Digital furniture design and manufacturing;
• Royal College of Art graduate show;
• Inspired by Design graduate showcase;
• Chelsea School of Art graduate show; and
• 100% Design Professional show case trade exhibition at Earls Court.

Fashion and Textiles A Level - Exam Board: AQA

The Textiles course offers students an opportunity to gain a positive experience from working with a variety of textile materials. The practical problem solving processes encourage independent learning, creativity and innovation, and students produce individual products of high quality. Textiles provides wide opportunities ranging from fashion and aesthetics to industrial uses of textiles, and from creative and individual work to aspects of manufacturing and industrial and commercial practice. The students will cover several topics including the study of materials and components, the history of textile design, current design trends, fashion and textiles layout and presentation, textiles innovation, use of ICT and the processes and manufacture of textiles products, to name a few. They will be required to keep up to date with current design issues, and visits to galleries, textile retail outlets, exhibitions and manufacturers will be an integral part of the course.

Assessment: AQA Fashion and Textiles (7562)

Paper 1: Core technical Principles

Two hours 25% of A level

Paper 2: Additional specialist knowledge

Two hours 25% of A level

C/W project (NEA)

Design and make project: 45 hours 50% of A level

Career Pathways

Students embark on a variety of career pathways and we have recently seen them moving on to study:

• Art Foundation
• Stage and costume design
• Fashion and textiles design
• Fashion and promotion journalism
• Advertising and marketing
• Fashion illustration

Destinations for Further Education have recently included:

Nottingham Trent University / Manchester University / Central St Martins / Camberwell School of Art / Chelsea School of Art / Ravensbourne College of Art and Design / London College of Fashion / Apprenticeship at Anderson and Sheppard – Savile Row Tailors

Enrichment and Extra-Curricular activities

All of our projects allow the students opportunities for extension and enrichment activities. Working in smaller groups at lunchtime, after-school and for extended sessions on Saturdays, students have worked in: Digital design; Pattern cutting and tailoring workshops; CAD/CAM laser cutting and Decorative finishing techniques

In recent years students have attended the following educational visits and workshops:

V&A – Hollywood Glamour and David Bowie retrospective;

Anderson and Sheppard – Savile Row Tailors;

John Lobb - shoe and boot-makers;

Vauxhall City Farm – fibres and spinning and dyeing natural yarns workshop;

McCulloch and Wallace – haberdashers,

Barnett Lawson – haberdashers;

Royal College of Art graduate show and guided tour;

Inspired by Design graduate showcase;

Chelsea School of Art graduate show; and

100% Design Professional show case trade exhibition at Earls Court.

Enrichment and Extra-Curricular activities

All of our projects allow the students opportunities for extension and enrichment activities. Working in smaller groups at lunchtime, after-school and for extended sessions on Saturday’s, students have worked in:

In recent years students have attended the following educational visits and workshops: