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Design & Technology

Why is the subject important?

Design and Technology is all around us, from the products we use every day to the food we eat and the spaces we live in. At º£½ÇÖ±²¥, students learn how creative ideas are developed into real solutions that make life easier, smarter, and more sustainable. Across Years 7 and 8, students take part in a range of exciting projects that build creativity, confidence, and practical skills. They learn how products are designed and made, how technology can improve the world around us, and how to prepare healthy, balanced meals in Food and Nutrition. Through curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning, our students gain the knowledge and confidence to think like designers, makers, and innovators, reflecting our academy vision of Every Individual: Every Opportunity.

Year 7

What will I be studying?

  • Pac-Man inspired keyring – an introduction to H&S, materials, and manufacturing.
  • Chocolate mould project – exploring industrial processes and creative packaging design.
  • BlockBot – developing confidence with workshop tools, materials, and assembly techniques.
  • CAD, graphics and marketing project – learning how digital design brings products to life.
  • Food and Nutrition – developing essential cookery skills, understanding healthy eating, and learning key H&S practices.

Career Links

Design and Technology and Food & Nutrition help students develop the knowledge and skills needed for a wide range of future pathways in creative, technical, and hospitality industries. Through practical projects and problem-solving challenges, students build confidence in teamwork, communication, creativity, and independent thinking. They also learn to apply maths and science in real-world contexts and to evaluate ideas with precision and care. These skills prepare students for careers ranging from engineering and architecture to design, catering, and nutrition, while also nurturing the adaptability and curiosity that employers value most. Our curriculum supports the Gatsby Benchmarks by connecting learning to real-world industries and helping students see the many opportunities that can grow from their classroom experiences.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment in Design and Technology focuses on how well you can plan, design, manufacture and evaluate your work, while showing an understanding of key areas such as health and safety, sustainability, materials, tools and equipment, nutrition, and CAD. You’ll complete a range of skill-based practical tasks alongside knowledge checks that test your understanding of specific aspects of design and technology. Together, these assessments reflect both your creative ability and your technical understanding

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

What will I be studying?

  • Passive amplifier design & manufacture – inspired by biomimicry and designer influence, exploring sound, form, and function.
  • CAD Architecture: Future Buildings – exploring iconic architecture and using CAD to create imaginative, forward-thinking building designs.
  • STEM car challenge – investigating aerodynamics, speed, and motion through design and testing.
  • Food and Nutrition – advancing cookery techniques and deepening understanding of nutrition and meal planning.

Career Links

Design and Technology and Food & Nutrition help students develop the knowledge and skills needed for a wide range of future pathways in creative, technical, and hospitality industries. Through practical projects and problem-solving challenges, students build confidence in teamwork, communication, creativity, and independent thinking. They also learn to apply maths and science in real-world contexts and to evaluate ideas with precision and care. These skills prepare students for careers ranging from engineering and architecture to design, catering, and nutrition, while also nurturing the adaptability and curiosity that employers value most. Our curriculum supports the Gatsby Benchmarks by connecting learning to real-world industries and helping students see the many opportunities that can grow from their classroom experiences.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment in Design and Technology focuses on how well you can plan, design, manufacture and evaluate your work, while showing an understanding of key areas such as health and safety, sustainability, materials, tools and equipment, nutrition, and CAD. You’ll complete a range of skill-based practical tasks alongside knowledge checks that test your understanding of specific aspects of design and technology. Together, these assessments reflect both your creative ability and your technical understanding.

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

Year 9

What will I be studying?

Hospitality and Catering is a vibrant and hands-on subject that prepares students for an exciting and fast-paced industry. The course explores how the hospitality and catering sector operates, focusing on the wide range of establishments, job roles and career opportunities it offers. Students learn about food safety, health and safety, and the importance of nutrition, while developing the practical skills needed to plan, prepare, cook and present a range of dishes.

Assessment is split across two units: the first explores the hospitality and catering industry and how it functions; the second focuses on putting knowledge into practice through menu planning, practical cookery and evaluation.

Throughout the course, students develop key employability skills such as teamwork, organisation, problem solving, creativity, resilience and attention to detail. The qualification provides an excellent foundation for anyone considering a future in hospitality, catering, nutrition, or customer service.

Career Links

The Hospitality and Catering course provides a strong foundation for a wide range of careers within one of the UK’s largest and most dynamic industries. Students gain a real understanding of how hospitality businesses operate and develop transferable skills that are valued in many different career paths.  Through practical cooking, menu planning and service-based projects, students strengthen their confidence, organisation, creativity, and attention to detail, while learning the importance of teamwork, communication and resilience in a busy working environment. This qualification prepares students for progression into further study, apprenticeships or employment in areas such as catering, customer service, food development, nutrition, or events management, giving them the practical and personal skills to succeed.

Year 10

In Year 10, students build a deeper understanding of how the hospitality and catering industry operates, exploring the wide variety of roles available; from front-of-house service and restaurant management to professional cookery and kitchen operations. The course provides valuable insight into how different teams work together to deliver a high-quality customer experience.  Students continue to develop a broad range of employability skills that are highly valued in the workplace, including resilience, problem solving, organisation, teamwork, and communication. They also strengthen their practical and creative abilities, applying maths, science and ICT to real-world situations. Through these experiences, students grow in confidence, independence and self-motivation, essential qualities for success in further study, apprenticeships, or employment within the hospitality and catering industry.

How will I be assessed?

Students will be assessed on two units:

  • Unit 1: The hospitality and catering industry (externally assessed)
  • Unit 2: Hospitality and catering in action (internally assessed and moderated by the exam board).

Which examination board am I following?

Exam Board: WJEC

Specification: Hospitality and Catering Level 1/2 award (603/7022/1)

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Which websites should I use to support my learning?

What will I be studying?

GCSE 3D Design allows students to explore how ideas are developed into creative, functional, and innovative three-dimensional outcomes. Students learn about design principles, materials, and construction methods through hands-on projects that combine creativity with technical understanding. They develop skills in drawing, model making, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) while studying how design impacts everyday life — from architecture and product design to sculpture and interior spaces. The course encourages independence, imagination, and problem-solving, preparing students to think and work like designers.

Career Links

3D Design opens doors to a wide range of exciting creative and technical pathways. The course builds the confidence and transferable skills needed for careers in design, architecture, engineering, interior design, manufacturing, and other areas of the creative industries.

Year 9

In Year 9, students develop core design and making skills through a series of creative projects that introduce them to key materials, processes, and design concepts. They explore form, function, and aesthetics while using CAD and model-making techniques to communicate ideas effectively. This foundation year inspires students to think imaginatively, experiment with ideas, and build the creative and technical skills that underpin success in 3D Design.

Careers

Students start to see how 3D Design shapes the world around them, from architecture and interiors to products and spaces we use every day. They also develop important employability skills such as creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and visual communication, building confidence for their future studies and careers.

Year 10

In Year 10, students apply their skills to more advanced projects, developing independence, creativity, and a personal design identity. They study the work of professional designers, architects, and artists while learning to make thoughtful, well-justified design decisions that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. 3D Design provides a clear progression route into A Level 3D Design at local colleges across Kirklees and Calderdale, as well as other creative and technical courses. This can lead to further study or careers in areas such as architecture, interior and product design, creative media, or engineering. Students also develop transferable skills in creative thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication, preparing them for a wide range of exciting future opportunities in education and employment.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is based on two components: a digital portfolio of coursework worth 60%, and an externally set assignment worth 40%. Students are assessed on their ability to develop ideas, experiment with materials and techniques, record observations, and produce final outcomes that show creativity and purpose.

Which examination board am I following?

Exam Board: AQA

Specification: GCSE Art and Design (3D Design)

Website: :

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

Ofsted Outstanding Provider
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