Design & technology is an exciting, creative and fulfilling subject where students learn to realise their ideas practically. Students develop organisational and problem-solving skills in an environment that encourages experimentation and an imaginative response. Our curriculum offer has been constructed around progression from Key Stage 3, to Key Stage 4, to Key Stage 5 and beyond. Regardless of whether a student continues to study Design & Technology after Key Stage 3, we feel passionately that the skills we teach should be life-long.

Design & technology is an innovative and creative subject, and at St. Peter’s, we aim to ensure students enjoy a ‘hands on’, meaningful experience where they can express their ideas freely and confidently. We want our students to develop an understanding of how important a focus on human needs is when designing and for them to understand how to shape, condition and construct a range of materials. Students will develop a relationship with timbers, metals, plastics, textiles and foodstuffs and, in order for deeper understanding to grow, they will have physical engagement with these materials. With these aims at the core of our department, we hope to enable them to improve their own lives and the lives of others. They are the future, and they will make the world a better place.

Students in Key Stage 3 study five projects a year. Projects are based on learning taken from each of the disciplines offered for examination in Key Stage 4 - engineering, textiles, food technology and design & technology. Each project is assessed on designing, making, evaluating and technical knowledge. Some projects have a greater focus on specific areas. Projects are six-seven weeks in duration.

In Year 7, students design and make a textile bookmark, an acrylic pen, a timber puzzle and a number of food dishes. They also complete a board design project where they design and make a board game.

The learning in Year 8 is developed further with more challenging projects. Students design and make a timber storage product, a textile lantern, they study engineering and wind turbines, create a range of nutritional dishes and work collaboratively on a design for a social area.

In Year 9, students are further stretched and developed. They design and make a clock based on a design movement, a laser cut maze product, a mechanical garden ornament, an upcycled garment and develop their understanding of hospitality and catering.

The department offers a range of qualifications, including NCFE VCERT Engineering, AQA Design & Technology, Edexcel Design & Technology (Textiles) and WJEC Hospitality & Catering.

Students follow the exam board specifications for their chosen specialist areas. For most subjects, the early part of Year 10 focusses on exam theory and preparation, and the later parts of Years 10 and most of Year 11 are taken up with NEA (Non-Exam Assessment). The structure of each qualification varies and delivery is tailored to suit.

Design & technology offers two post-16 courses; BTEC Level 3 Engineering (Extended Certificate) and AQA A level Product Design are offered at Key Stage 5.

BTEC Engineering has 4 units. Unit 1 is an externally examined unit with mathematics and physics content. Unit 2 includes a group manufacture exercise, Unit 3 focuses on engineering product design and Unit 10 is about using CAD in engineering. Students cover units 1 & 2 in Year 12 and units 3 & 10 in Year 13.

A level Product Design is 50% NEA coursework and 50% external exam. Year 12 is spent learning exam theory and working on a mock NEA project. Practical skills are developed along with understanding of design theory. The majority of Year 13 is spent on a student-derived design and make project with a significant practical outcome. 

A great deal of our curriculum is both creative and practical. We work hard to develop students' skills and their sense of empowerment. Whenever possible, we offer trips out to support our students to venues such as RAF Cosford.  We also aim to take Years 11, 12 and 13 on trips to industrial settings.

We seek to educate students about the range of design and technology careers.

Design & technology prepares students for a broad range of careers including many forms of engineering. Our qualifications provide a foundation for sectors such as civil, mechanical, electronic, structural, automotive and aerospace. 

Study of design can lead to product design, industrial and interior design, architecture, graphic design, 3D modelling, prototyping and testing careers. 

Careers in hospitality are wide and varied, ranging from food science and nutrition, hotel and restaurant management and catering.