Design and Technology – Ages 11-16

At Ratcliffe, Design and Technology is a successful and forward thinking department.  

Our aims are to provide opportunities for pupils to:  

• Enjoy turning ideas into reality.
• Strive for successful outcomes. 
• Be creative and develop thinking skills. 
• Develop attitudes of curiosity, enquiry, initiative, ingenuity, resourcefulness. 
• Experience a range of different material areas. 

The Department is staffed by two full-time teachers, and one full-time Art and Design technician.  The teaching staff are well qualified and experienced, providing a high level of expertise across all material areas.  They also pride themselves in the setting of high standards and expectations and work tirelessly to ensure that pupils have the opportunities to achieve their full potential. 

Key Stage Three

 In Years 7 to Year 9, Design and Technology is experienced by students throughout the school through one 55-minute lesson per week.  In addition, students also have one textiles lesson per fortnight, which is taught on rotation with Food Technology. Classes are taught in mixed ability groups of around 22 students.

GCSE

At GCSE, we follow a 2-year Pearson course in Product Design.  The GCSE course enables students to understand and apply iterative design processes through which they explore, create and evaluate a range of outcomes.  The qualification enables students to use creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes (together with evidence of modelling to develop and prove product concept and function) that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. 

Achievements 

GCSE Design and Technology is a popular option choice at Ratcliffe and regardless of students’ ability or background in the subject upon entering the course, we aim to do our upmost to help all students reach their potential.  Roughly a third of the year group opt for the subject as an option choice and the department has enjoyed examination success over recent years.  In the academic year 2019 -20, 83% of GCSE grades awarded were level 9-6 whilst 100% were level 9-4.