Design & Technology

From bright ideas to brilliant outcomes: turning imagination into innovation.

Design and Technology in schools fosters creativity, innovation, and critical thinking by enabling students to turn ideas into functional, real-world products.

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation. Adapted from National Curriculum, DfE, 2013.

The Design and Technology curriculum at Hessle is designed to develop creative thinkers, effective problem-solvers, and confident makers. The subject encompasses a wide range of skills that support students in their education, future careers, and everyday life. Throughout the key stages, students develop a strong understanding of the design process and gain first-hand experience working with a variety of materials, tools, and equipment. With strong links to subjects such as Science, Mathematics, Business, Geography, and others, Design and Technology opens up opportunities well beyond the school environment, leading to a broad range of potential career pathways.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum 

During Key Stage 3, students work on rotations between Food, Product Design and Textiles.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

AQA GCSE Design and Technology Resistant Materials, AQA GCSE Food and Nutrition and OCR Cambridge National Engineering Manufacture.