Design and Technology
“Design and Technology (D&T) is the inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which prepares all young people to live and work in the designed and made world.” DATA Design And Technology Association
Design and Technology is an inspiring, innovative and practical subject. Using creativity and their imagination, students design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. The department encourages students to take risks in their ideas and ‘think outside of the box’ whilst carefully considering their own and other's needs, wants and values. The progression through each year group allows students to acquire a broad range of subject knowledge whilst drawing on other disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering and art.
The fully equipped workshop and design studio enables students to develop a wide range of original prototypes that, at both GCSE and A-level, draw on all the skills developed lower down the College. The students become confident in the use of a wide range of traditional hand tools and machines combined with cutting edge technologies such as 3D Printers and the Laser Cutter. The use of CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) is developed throughout each year which enables the students to produce high quality drawings and make complex models. Students learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, independent and capable individuals. They evaluate past and present design and technology, developing a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world, including environmental and sustainability issues.
Many students choose to study Design Technology for GCSE at The Ladies’ College and follow the Cambridge iGCSE DT course. Many excellent projects are designed, developed and made and the Department has 100% record of 9 - 6 (A*- C) grades.
Recently the D&T Department has started a new Edexcel A Level D&T Product Design course which is perfectly suited to the future engineers, architects and designers who have an inquiring mind and enjoy creating solutions to the problems found around them.
The Design and Technology Department also benefits from the newly opened Ellershaw Centre Food Technology facility. This enables pupils to develop confidence and skills in producing a wide range of food dishes and they learn about healthy eating, food groups, food hygiene and safety.
