DT Intent
In Design and Technology, our intent is to empower students to become the best they can be by developing their creativity, practical skills and problem-solving abilities. Through real-world challenges, collaborative projects, and reflective practice, students will build resilience, take responsibility, embrace challenges and thrive as part of a team. We teach through hands-on, practical activities because this allows students to connect theoretical knowledge with real applications. Making things, testing ideas, and solving problems develops a sense of achievement and builds self-confidence. Students see the results of their own efforts and understand how their learning has a tangible impact. Failure is a natural and necessary part of the design process. By allowing students to test, reflect, and improve their designs, we help them develop resilience. DT naturally lends itself to challenge. We teach through open-ended tasks and problem-solving situations that encourage students to think critically, ask questions, and come up with innovative solutions. This allows them to apply knowledge across subjects—maths, science, art—and develop higher-order thinking skills. Our approach emphasizes student ownership of their work. From planning a project to evaluating its success, students are responsible for the decisions they make. Our approach not only builds technical and practical skills but also nurtures personal growth—preparing students to be the best they can be in school and beyond. Our teaching in DT is shaped by the diverse social backgrounds and geographical locations of our students. We believe that every student, regardless of where they live or their personal circumstances, should be given the tools to succeed, contribute positively to society, and understand the world around them. For students from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds, DT can open doors to careers in engineering, design, construction, and manufacturing. We teach DT as a subject that raises aspirations by linking it to real careers and skills in demand across different regions.
