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DT

Why we teach DT at Harris Academy Purley

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

Here at Harris Academy Purley, the curriculum is designed and sequenced to use past learnings to build knowledge, understanding and skills in each project. The projects throughout the years gives pupils opportunities to appropriately apply a repertoire of previous learning knowledge and skills in different design situations.

Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.

Aims The national curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

  • develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
  • build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
  • critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
  • understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making.

What exam board do we follow?

GCSE students follow the AQA Design and Technology 8552 specification.

AQA Design and Technology (8552)