It is the intention of the department to provide pupils with the opportunity to discover the pleasure and importance of designing and making using a wide variety of resources and materials. We hope that learning will be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Some tasks will be challenging and stimulating and we aim to establish a culture of success where every student is valued for their contribution.

We aim to encourage the students to:

• be responsible for themselves, their environment and the care of others
• develop an awareness and capability of designing and manufacturing
• identify opportunities for design and technological activities with reference to personal needs and the needs of others
• work together and independently in solving problems and finding possible solutions
• develop and apply knowledge, skills and understanding
• apply the design process
• apply their ideas effectively and safely
• consider the effects and implications of design and technological activity on the environment and society
• develop practical abilities

In addition to this the department’s objectives, consistent with the school’s general objectives are:

• to communicate using the spoken word, in writing and using graphics
• to apply numeracy in line with the school numeracy policy
• to apply literacy in line with the school literacy policy
• to give pupils a degree of self confidence and self-esteem
• to promote creativity and inventiveness
• to utilise Information and Communication Technology
• to work in a range of resistant and non-resistant materials such as  wood, metal, plastic, food, and textiles to develop products, systems and environments to select and use a range of tools and equipment and apply relevant techniques and processes

To enable the curriculum area to achieve its aims, the curriculum is organised into three main areas: Food and Nutrition, Textiles, and Product Design (commonly known as resistant materials).

Organisation of the Curriculum at KS3

Year 7
Students spend one hour a week, for one and half terms (about 20 weeks), in each of the three areas mentioned above.  Students work in groups of about 20 students.  

Year 8
Students spend one hour a week, for one and half terms (about 20 weeks), doing either Product Design or Food and Nutrition.  Students work in groups of about 20 students.

Year 9
Students can opt to do one subject from any of the three areas mentioned above, but none of the subjects are compulsory.  Students then spend two hours per week completeing both practical and theory work in the area they have chosen.

Organisation of the Curriculum at KS4

Year 10 and 11
Students can opt to continue with their studies of Food and Nutrition, Textiles or Product Design by following a GCSE course in that subject.  Students normally need to have studied the subject in Year 9 if they are to complete the GCSE successfully.

In addition, students can also opt to study GCSE Home Economics:  Child Development in addition to or instead of the subjects listed above. 

For further information, please contact:

Mrs C Williams, Head of Vocational Education, cwilliams@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk

Mrs K Ginger, Teacher of Product Design and Child Development, kginger@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk

Mrs M Curtis, Teacher of Textiles, mcurtis@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk

Mrs L Meharry, Teacher of Food Technology, lmeharry@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk

Mr G Killen, Teacher of Product Design, gkillen@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk