Design Technology at Highfield is all about enabling every one of our pupils to work directly with a wide range of resistant materials, by undertaking a series of specially created open ended tasks that have more than one solution. In carrying out any of these learning opportunities each pupil will be directly involved in finding out about the properties and characteristics of different materials and how they can be used to create imaginative, exciting products.

Projects in Design Technology involve the pupils directly in a creative, imaginative journey of exploration to experience first hand how they can have a direct influence on the work they undertake. Knowledge and understanding are gained along the way and are part of a constantly evolving process that begins with a simple ‘ What if…?

Pupils are asked to develop creative solutions to a Design Brief, that will involve them in both expressing their own unique ideas and communicating these to the best of their ability in order to answer the challenge set at the outset. By undertaking structured practical activities pupils will find out how everyday things work and function. They will discover the ways in which different materials, systems and components can be combined to create suitable products that meet the demands of the task. Every pupil will be encouraged to do the very best they can, exploit their inate abilities, develop new skills, and last, but by no means least, gain great enjoyment and satisfaction from working in a practical environment.

Projects cover a broad spectrum of work, but at the core of all of them are very important key skills that will enable pupils to develop from an early age an understanding of how to participate in tomorrow's rapidly changing technologies. Pupils learn how to think and interact creatively, to become autonomous problem solvers, as individuals or as part of a team. Ideally they should look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to these by developing a series of possibilities in order to create products or systems that solve these problems. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices. As they do this, they reflect on and evaluate past and contemporary design and technology, its uses and effects, both good and bad. Through Design Technology pupils can become informed and discriminating users and consumers of products and maybe, just maybe, innovators for the future.

'Design Technology is all about making things that people want and that work well and are durable. Creating these things is hugely exciting: it is an inventive, fun activity'. James Dyson, Chairman/Owner, Dyson Ltd.

'The design of an object defines its meaning and ultimately its utility. The nature of the connection between technology and people is determined by the designer'. Jonathan Ive, Designer, Apple Computers.

Hopefully these pages will provide you with an idea of what goes on in the department and also what types of things are made by the pupils. The Design Technology Department also reinforces links with all other areas of the curriculum. Projects are developed to help strengthen these ties, whether it is in literacy, numeracy or an historical or social context, providing a balanced framework to inspire learning at every level and ability. Above all, the Department seeks to continue to foster this approach into the future, by inspiring its pupils to carry on a commitment to learning that will last a lifetime. 

Ian Drury, Head of Design Technology. 

Candle Holders

A Clock

Picture Frames

Vehicles

A Crocodile