Design Technology & Engineering

We want our students to leave as confident designers, understand the contextual challenges around them, and be critical problem solvers—whether they pursue Design and Technology, including Food Technology, beyond school or not.

The knowledge and skill required for students to fully engage with their projects is often specific to the material area in which they are working. This includes practical disciplines such as Food Technology, where students apply nutritional understanding, safe preparation techniques, and creative food design to real-world problems.

Back to KS3 Subjects

Through the MYP Design framework, students are encouraged to inquire, develop ideas, create solutions, and evaluate outcomes, promoting independence, reflection, and a deeper understanding of the design cycle across all material areas, including food.

CRITERION A

Inquiring & Analysing

Criterion b

Developing Ideas

criterion C

Creating the Solution

criterion d

Evaluating

Statement of Inquiry

Our daily lifestyle choices, shaped by cultural, social, and scientific factors, significantly impact our health and well-being.

APPROACHES to Learning

What are the 5 sections of the eatwell plate?

Statement of Inquiry

Our daily lifestyle choices, shaped by cultural, social, and scientific factors, significantly impact our health and well-being.

APPROACHES to Learning

What is the role of vitamins and minerals in maintaining healthy lifestyles? What are the 5 sections of the eatwell plate?

Statement of Inquiry

By examining the origins of our products, such as food, and the factors influencing its availability, we can design innovative solutions that promote sustainable and equitable systems for communities worldwide.

APPROACHES to Learning

What are the main nutrients in food, and why does the body need them?

Statement of Inquiry

By examining the origins of our products, such as food, and the factors influencing its availability, we can design innovative solutions that promote sustainable and equitable systems for communities worldwide.

APPROACHES to Learning

What are the essential nutrients, and why does the body need them?

Statement of Inquiry

Understanding the relationship between healthy diet and energy balance will help us to improve our lifestyle choices.

APPROACHES to Learning

What are the essential nutrients required for a balanced diet?

Statement of Inquiry

What are the primary functions of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in the body?

APPROACHES to Learning

What are the essential nutrients required for a balanced diet?

Approaches to Learning

Intoduction to core design skills

Statement of Inquiry

Waste resources from one product can be used to make another this can link friends and family and promote good communication

Approaches to Learning

Communication, creative thinking.

Statement of Inquiry

Food and Nutrition / Technical drawing

Statement of Inquiry

Using Tinkercad as a design tool

Statement of Inquiry

Graphics

Statement of Inquiry

Graphics

Statement of Enquiry

Students will complete a design task that includes: A clearly defined problem or need. Annotated sketches and exploded drawings. A final rendered design proposal. An evaluation of how their work demonstrates core design principles Assessment criteria will focus on: Use of design conventions (e.g. isometric, orthographic). Communication of ideas. Clarity, creativity, and attention to user needs. Critical self-reflection

Approaches to Learning
  • Creative thinking – generating original ideas and experimenting with layout, materials, and function.
  • Visual organisation – sketching, annotating, rendering and using design conventions.
  • Reflection – evaluating how design decisions meet the needs of users
Statement of Enquiry

Students will create a 3D model of a product (e.g. a mobile phone holder, toy, or simple mechanical object) using TinkerCad. Assessment will include: Planning sketches and research. Accurate 3D modelling and use of design constraints. Screenshots and walkthrough of the design process. Reflection on benefits and limitations of the tool.

Approaches to Learning
  • Transfer skills – applying technical knowledge in digital and physical environments
  • Information literacy – researching design techniques and digital workflows
  • Reflection – reviewing design iterations and performance of virtual prototypes
Statement of Enquiry

Design and make a functional pop-up book that demonstrates the use of at least three different paper engineering techniques. Students will be assessed on: Research, Idea generation, Development, Technical skill, Evaluation of their final product.

Approaches to Learning
  • Communication skills – presenting and explaining design choices.
  • Self-management – time management during making stages.
  • Thinking skills – generating, developing, and testing design ideas
Statement of Enquiry

Design and create packaging for a specific product that includes branding, visual appeal, functional structure, and consideration of sustainability. Students will be assessed on: Research and analysis. Creativity and visual communication. Practical making and construction. Reflection and evaluation

Approaches to Learning
  • Research skills – analysing existing packaging and materials
  • Creative thinking – developing sustainable and appealing designs
  • Organisation skills – managing iterative design and testing phases
Statement of Enquiry

Design a logo and supporting brand elements (e.g. colour palette, typography, tagline) for a fictional or real company. Students will be assessed on: Research and analysis of existing branding. Concept development and sketching. Final logo and presentation materials. Reflection and rationale explaining design choices

Approaches to Learning
  • Visual communication skills – creating impactful and meaningful designs
  • Research skills – analysing existing logos and brand identity systems
  • Collaboration – giving and receiving feedback during design development
Statement of Enquiry

Create a marketing campaign for a new or existing product. Students must design: A slogan and brand message. A print or video advertisement. A social media promotion or storyboard. A presentation pitch to a panel (class, teacher, peers)

Approaches to Learning
  • Media literacy – analysing how messages are constructed for specific audiences.
  • Critical thinking – evaluating the ethics of advertising.
  • Organisation and collaboration – planning a campaign and presenting ideas as a team
Back to KS4 Subjects
ks4 Engineering

The design cycle is directly taught, modelled to, and practised by our students through their projects. Anchoring all DT specialisms to a common design cycle will lead to interconnected schema across the full breadth of the subject.

Statement of INQUIRY

High-precision manufacturing and understanding of materials are essential for producing functional, safe, and reliable engineering components.

Statement of INQUIRY

Iterative design and problem-solving in manufacturing lead to adaptable and user-friendly products that meet evolving needs.

Statement of INQUIRY

Designing with user needs and function in mind results in practical and attractive engineered products.

Statement of INQUIRY

By applying mathematical and scientific principles, engineers solve practical problems and improve the functionality of products and systems.

Statement of INQUIRY

Effective planning, safe execution, and quality control in manufacturing lead to the successful development of engineered products that meet user needs and global standards.

Statement of INQUIRY

Effective planning, safe execution, and quality control in manufacturing lead to the successful development of engineered products that meet user needs and global standards.

Statement of Inquiry

Effective planning, safe execution, and quality control in manufacturing lead to the successful development of engineered products that meet user needs and global standards.

Statement of Inquiry

Effective planning, safe execution, and quality control in manufacturing lead to the successful development of engineered products that meet user needs and global standards.

Statement of Inquiry

Understanding user needs and design constraints leads to innovative, functional, and sustainable engineering solutions.

Statement of Inquiry

Understanding user needs and design constraints leads to innovative, functional, and sustainable engineering solutions.

Statement of Inquiry

By applying mathematical and scientific principles, engineers solve practical problems and improve the functionality of products and systems.