Design & Technology

Design and Technology is the inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which prepares all young people to live and work in the designed and made world.

In Design and Technology at South Shore Academy we provide opportunities for our students to develop their capability, giving them opportunity to combine their designing and making skills with sound knowledge and understanding in order to create quality products.

Design & Technology is a popular subject with our students and has a high profile in the school.  As students’ progress through the Key Stages they focus on specific aspects of the subject such as product design, food technology, textiles, graphics, systems and control, and electronics. However, at its core, is creativity and imagination. Students will learn to design and make products that solve genuine, relevant problems within different contexts whilst considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. To do this effectively, they will acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on other subjects such as mathematics, science, computing and art.

Design and Technology is a practical and valuable subject. It enables our students to actively contribute to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of themselves, our local community and also nationally. It teaches how to take risks and so become more resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable. D&T helps students to develop a critical understanding of the impact of design and technology on daily life and the wider world. It  provides excellent opportunities for students to develop and apply value judgments of an aesthetic, economic, moral, social, and technical nature both in their own designing and when evaluating the work of others.

Facilities for developing and learning in Design and Technology at South Shore Academy are excellent. The faculty has a well-equipped workshop together with 2 design rooms equipped with Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing capabilities. There is a well-equipped food room and a dedicated textiles area.  Students are taught by specialist staff in all our material areas.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 the subject is taught through a wide range of material areas that include: Resistant Materials, Food Technology, Textiles, Graphic Products, Systems and Control and Electronics.

During Year 7, 8 and 9 students will experience work in all areas. We actively encourage students to express their creativity through a series of structured tasks and projects that leave scope for an increasingly high level of individuality. A strong emphasis is placed on producing products of high quality design, manufacture while developing robust safe working practice.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 the faculty offers a range of GCSE options that include; Resistant Materials, Food Technology, Graphic Products and Textiles Technology.

Students are encouraged to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of their chosen D&T area through a range of design tasks. Practical skills are taught throughout Year 10. This enables students to develop expertise in their material area and to select and apply the appropriate techniques when developing their own work for GCSE Controlled Assessments in Year 11 where emphasis is placed on independent learning and decision making.