“Design and Technology is about providing opportunities for students to develop their capability, combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to create quality products”. The Design and Technology Association 2018

The Technology Department aims to embody the Mission Statement and aims of St Mark's Catholic School which are laid out in the School Improvement Plan for the Year.

Through the teaching of design as a process, Design and Technology has the potential to deliver the kind of universal employability skills that employers are looking for, such as creativity, problem-solving and the ability to present ideas. As a subject, Design and Technology can help students make creative and innovative use of their existing skills and academic knowledge. It can also be a stepping stone for those students who wish to take a vocational path. 

 

Ms S McIntyre - Subject Leader

Mr C McConnon

Ms G Gulyas

Technicians

Miss MacLeod

Miss Sowa

Mrs R Ibrahim

The Design and Technology is split over two site areas.  Food and Textiles is taught in the two Food rooms on the top floor.  Product Design is taught in two workshops and a computer suite on the ground floor. Both areas are well equipped with a range of equipment that enables students to develop their practical skills competently and confidently.

Design and Technology  KS3

Three areas of Technology – Food, Product Design and Textiles are taught in mixed ability groups on a termly rotation in Years 7 & 8

Food and Product Design are taught in Year 9 in two sets of 9 week blocks

Lessons are 100 minutes in length.  They key focus of the lessons is to develop students design and practical skills. They are encouraged to be creative with the resources and materials they work with in each project and independent during practical lessons.

In KS4 the department offers three courses

AQA GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition

AQA GCSE Product design

OCR Cambridge Nationals Child Development Level ½

In KS5 the department offers

AQA A Level Product Design

At this level Design and Technology helps highlight career opportunities and routes into higher education, by offering a practical insight into different sectors such as graphic design, product design, fashion, food, engineering and architecture. In building these skills it develops confidence and empowerment for young people who are entering jobs markets for the first time.