Design and Technology
The DT department staffing includes:
- Mr J de Jong – Assistant Headteacher, Lead Teacher of Engineering
- Mrs K King – Lead Teacher of Product Design
- Mrs A Howard – Lead Teacher of Food & Nutrition
- Miss P Lowbeck-Hawes- Lead Teacher of Photography, Teacher of DT
- Miss L Lovell - Teacher of Art and DT
- Mrs S Vince- Teacher of Food & Nutrition
- Mrs G Mason – DT & Art Technician
- Mrs T Hattersley – DT & Art Technician
As a foundation to the STREAM focus at SST Maidstone, the DT department leads an a practical and engaging curriculum to ensure students develop knowledge and skills in the three pillars of the subject; Engineering, Product Design and Food & Nutrition. Students are challenged to solve problems and follow the making process from design, to prototype and then construction.
The DT department runs a cooking club popular with all year groups. Students have the opportunity to learn from older students; making delicious treats while developing their cooking skills and love for food. The DT prefects are also extremely busy with various commissions from students and staff alike!
The department has strong collaborative links with other departments, such as:
- Safety in a workplace environment, linked to DT and Science Workshops
- Evaluation of materials, linking to the Science curriculum.
- Linking the learning of Flow Diagrams to Computer Science.
- Healthy eating, linked to Personal Development and Science
Curriculum Intent
- The SST Design and Technology department channels the natural curiosity and enthusiasm of the students to build on their prior knowledge and mixed experience that they have from Primary School.
- During their Design & Technology journey, we instil a desire to achieve precision and quality to design and produce creative, functioning, and consumable, products which solve real world problems.
- Students have the opportunity to develop skills for life and to master them for future careers in related industries. Students apply their understanding, team-work and problem solving skills safely into our continuously evolving world, contributing with social responsibility.
Curriculum Topics
Year 7
Engineering
- Working with metals
- Electronics
- CAD
Product Design
- Working with woods
- Isometric drawing
- Wood joints
- Designing for others
Food & Nutrition
- The Eatwell Guide
- Importance of Eating Fruit and Vegetables
- Food miles
- Food safety
- Knife skills
- Introduction to using equipment
Year 8
Engineering
- Casting
- Mechanisms
- Orthographic drawing
- Problem solving
Product Design
- Design and sustainability
- Working with woods
- Architecture
- Drawing techniques
- Problem solving
Food & Nutrition
- Healthy eating
- Macro and Micronutrients
- Adapting recipes
- Understanding food labels
- Using equipment with precision
- Presentation techniques
Year 9
Students will opt for one of three routes:
Engineering
- Working with metals
- Electronics
- Drawing techniques
- 3D CAD and 3D printing
- Design & make tasks
Product design
- Designing
- Working with woods
- Polymers
- Lighting and metals
- Textiles
- Design & make tasks
Food & Nutrition
- Using equipment and cooking skills with precision
- Preparing and cooking meat
- Cooking with eggs, doughs & sauces
- Nutritional needs of different groups
- Macro and micronutrients
- Functional and chemical properties of ingredients
Year 10 and Year 11
Students can continue with a GCSE in Design & Technology (Product Design), or Food Preparation & Nutrition, or a vocational CNAT course in Engineering Manufacture.
Year 12 and Year 13
Students can continue to study related subjects in the Sixth Form – WJEC Level 3 Food Science and Nutrition, A Level Product Design or AAQ Cambridge Advanced National in Engineering.
Transition Information
Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3
Students have a mixed experience of DT from Primary School so we support students where they need it based on their skill levels.
There are opportunities for students to work on their practical skills through extra-curricular clubs as well as lunch time sessions.
Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4
Throughout Key Stage 3, students are encouraged to think about the next stage of their transition and are educated on the various routes that DT related subjects can follow as they start to think about future aspirations. There are extra-curricular opportunities for students to join in with to gain more experience in different settings.
Key Stage 4 to Key Stage 5
During KS4, students are given an awareness of the application of DT skills in different areas of life and in different sectors of industry.
Links with Sixth Form students allows discussion with KS4 students so they can find out more about aspirational career prospects.
Beyond Key Stage 5
Students are given opportunities to look at different routes to study DT related subjects beyond the Sixth Form, including employment, apprenticeships, college courses and University courses.
Extended Curriculum Opportunities
The DT department runs a cooking club popular with all year groups. Students have the opportunity to learn from older students; making delicious treats while developing their cooking skills and love for food. The DT prefects are also extremely busy with various commissions from students and staff alike!
