The individual specialisms within the Design & Technology Faculty share a common philosophy in the delivery of the Key Stage 3 curriculum, with a strong emphasis on creativity, problem-solving and the production of high-quality outcomes across a range of material areas. Students develop essential practical skills, technical knowledge and an understanding of the design process, enabling them to become confident, independent and creative learners.

In Year 9, students have the opportunity to specialise in a material area of their choice: Product Design, 3D Design, Food or Textiles. This allows them to develop their skills and subject knowledge in greater depth, providing a strong foundation for further study at GCSE.

At Key Stage 4, students can follow a full GCSE course in the following subjects:

• Product Design: Students develop creative problem-solving skills by designing and making innovative products using a range of materials, manufacturing techniques and CAD/CAM technologies.
• 3D Design: Students explore three-dimensional forms, objects and structures through experimentation with materials, modelling, construction and a variety of creative techniques.
• Textile Design: Students develop creative textile skills through processes such as printing, pattern design, embellishment, fabric manipulation and exploration of artists and designers.
• Food Preparation & Nutrition: Students develop their understanding of nutrition, food science and healthy eating while building practical skills in food preparation and cooking.

Alongside these, students can study a Level 1/2 vocational qualification in:

• Hospitality & Catering: This course develops students’ understanding of the hospitality and catering industry, alongside a range of specialist and transferable skills, including practical food preparation and cooking techniques.

At Post-16, A Level courses are offered in Product Design and Textile Design. These qualifications provide an excellent foundation for progression to further education and degree-level study in design and related disciplines.

The faculty enjoys an excellent reputation for embracing innovation and delivering courses that reflect the changing needs of students in an increasingly technological and creative world. From Year 7 onwards, students are encouraged to identify and solve real-world problems through the iterative process of designing, developing and making. They learn to apply their knowledge, experiment with materials and techniques, evaluate their work and refine their ideas to produce high-quality outcomes.

Our students regularly achieve success in local and national competitions, including the Harrogate DT Rotary Tournament, providing valuable opportunities to showcase their creativity, technical ability and problem-solving skills.