Skip to content ↓
01420 541194

Welcome to the Design & Technology / Food & Nutrition Department 
 2023 - 2024

Mr Neil Waite
Design & Technology Curriculum Leader

The Team

Mrs Whittington       Food Teacher
Mr Bowen                     D&T teacher
Mrs Roy                         Food Teacher
Mrs Blandford           Food Teacher
Colin Evans                 D&T Technician
Tanya Cornaia           Food Technician
Alison Spencer         Food Technician

@eggarstech

 

What is Design & Technology and why is it important?

Design and Technology is a creative subject that combines intellectual and practical skills through purposeful practical activities. Students at Eggar’s will respond to a need by developing a range of ideas to be applied in the manufacture of products and systems. They will also gain an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, industrial practices and how things work, and will develop a range of communication skills, including verbal and graphical expression and modelling. Through evaluation and reflection they will become informed and discriminating product users.

What do students learn in Design & Technology?

In Key Stage 3 students follow a curriculum that is rigorous and varied. They will undertake project work in Timbers and plastics, Graphics, Food and Textiles. At the end of year 8 they can opt for Design & Technology and/or Foot Preparation and Nutrition. Both courses are GCSE.  The Design & Technology GCSE will have an ‘area of challenge’ which will enable students to focus on a particular material area.

In KS4 D&T students study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials, techniques and equipment. They will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.  This will be in either Resistant Materials or Graphics.  Basic Textiles and Electronics to be studied by all and tested through the 'core' section of the exam. 

Food Preparation and Nutrition in KS4 is a creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. At its heart, this qualification focuses on nurturing students' practical cookery skills to give them a strong understanding of nutrition.

Summary of curriculum content
To view the Learning Journey for Design Technology please click here.
To view the Learning Journey for Food & Nutrition please click here.

Challenge and support in Design & Technology / Food & Nutrition

As students embark on their D&T journey, they develop their skills in order to produce high quality designing and making.  As students progress through the years, they are challenged through individual creativity and teacher intervention.  Projects become more bespoke and by the time they get to Year 11 they are ready to take on the challenge of exploring their own context and developing solutions to a problem.  In both D&T and Food the work is differentiated for all levels of ability offering challenge to all.  Our technicians work alongside students in all classes to give a helping hand where needed. 

How is Design & Technology assessed?

In KS3 assessed against specific project criteria linked to the school assessment system through four areas: Emerging, Developing, Secure and Excelling. In KS4 pupils are assessed in grades which are linked to GCSE marking criteria. 

In Design & Technology and Food & Nutrition students follow the AQA exam board.

Learning beyond the classroom

Each year the D&T department will endeavour to organise outside speakers to deliver lectures on future paths beyond Eggar’s.  This includes talks on engineering, architecture and product design.  Each year the department supports and helps budding engineers apply for the prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.  The department run many extracurricular activities, such as woodwork club and electronics.  Our young engineers annually enter a powerboat challenge with huge success.  We run an annual weekend woodwork master class with our Aspire Programme (MAT)students.

Where can Design & Technology lead

As well as providing you with skills for life, Design & Technology can lead to a number of varied and interesting careers.

Manufacturing and Construction: These include, Mechanical engineers, Production Engineers, Industrial Engineers, Civil Engineers, Manufacturing managers, Production Workers. Mechanical technicians, Tool makers, Model Makers, Quality Control managers, Welders, Fabricators, Non-destructive testers, Mechanics, Builders, Architects, Surveyors, Plumbers, Electricians and Carpenters

Art & Design: These include Artists, Graphic Designers, Craft Designers, Motion Graphic Designers, Interior Designers, Animators, Illustrators, Art Auctioneers, Gallery & Museum Curators and Front-End Designers (websites etc)

IT & the Internet: These Games Developer, Computer Based Design (CAD), CAD/CAM Engineer, Product Modeller, Software Programmer, Network Engineer, Web Designer

Fashion & Beauty: These include Fashion Designers, Beauty Therapists, Dressmakers, Cosmetic Chemists, Hairdressers, Make-Up Artists, Fashion Photographers, Models, Spa Therapists and Fashion Journalists.

Where can Food & Nutrition lead

Food and Nutrition is a subject which can be used throughout your adult life. Following the successful completion of GCSE Food and Nutrition, students could continue their training by opting for Level 2 or T levels in Hospitality and Catering at College or Sixth Form. This helps to build on what they have learnt and is a stepping-stone to a catering apprenticeship or work-based training which can help you specialise in a particular area or in general hospitality and catering.

There is a chronic shortage of professionals in the Food Industry and, combined with further academic study, this course can also lead to careers such as food technologist, scientist, product developer, buyer, dietician or marketer.

Food & Nutrition