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St Michael's Middle School
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St Michael's Middle School

DT

Welcome to the vibrant dynamic area of Design Technology. Where children experience the three sub areas of D.T: Resistant Materials, Food Technology and Textiles. As the subject title suggests at the heart of quality made product, is quality design work. Here we encourage our children to become independent, creative problem solvers, whilst giving them ‘real life’ design scenarios.

Each area at St Michael's has a good specification of equipment, aiding the design and manufacture process and the overall quality of the projects produced. C.A.D & C.A.M is recognised as current technology and is taught through the use of the Laser cutter and embroidery machines, dedicated D.T computer suites help to compound the importance of I.C.T as a design tool.

From learning how to weigh out ingredients and baking bread to passing their driving/sewing test right through to manufacturing top end clocks that would not look out of place in high street department stores, Design Technology at St Michael's is an exciting place to be.

Subject Statement 

Design Technology Vision at St Michael’s:

Within the vibrant dynamic area of Design Technology children experience the three sub-areas: Product Design, Food Technology and Textiles Design. As the subject title suggests at the heart of quality made products, are creative ideas and quality design work.  Here we encourage our children to become independent, creative problem solvers, whilst giving them ‘real life’ design scenarios.

Each area at St Michael's has a good specification of equipment, aiding the design and manufacture process and the overall quality of the projects produced. C.A.D & C.A.M is recognised as current technology and is taught through the use of the Laser cutter and embroidery machines, dedicated D.T computer suites help to compound the importance of I.C.T as a design tool.

From learning how to weigh out ingredients and baking bread to passing their driving/sewing test right through to manufacturing top end clocks that would not look out of place in high street department stores, Design Technology at St Michael's is an exciting place to be.

Here at St Michaels the Design Technology department has a highly skilled and motivated team who are committed to inspiring their students by opening up a world of possibilities that working in the: manufacturing, design and creative industries can provide.

Through studying a comprehensive, forward thinking and process lead curriculum, the Design Technology department will facilitate your child to become an innovative, lateral thinker and problem solver.  Pupil engagement and productivity is of an extremely high standard, meaning work is regularly displayed and showcased to the benefit of pupil’s sense of achievement and the whole school environment.-

Clear expectations of a similar formula in each discipline- ACCESS FM.

 What is ACCESS FM?
ACCESS FM is the acronym for creating a great product in Design Technology, the letters stand for:

  • A-   Aesthetics (how it looks)

  • C-   Cost  (the price?)

  • C-   Customer (who will buy it?)

  • E-   Environment (is it eco-friendly?)

  • S-   Safety  (is it safe?)

  • S-   Size  (how big it is?)

  • F-   Function  (what it does)

  • M- Materials  (what is used to make it?)

These simple steps help students to make a product of high quality and are extremely important.

Core Values 

 Design Technology builds ASPIRATION by:

  • Empowering students to believe that they can find new solutions to problems.

  • Introducing students to new school experiences which some excel at.

  • Comparing learning experiences with actual career paths and jobs.

  • Providing external opportunities to exhibit work and enter competitions.

  • Engage with higher education settings and creative industries in the wider community.

  • The sharing of work and ideas across year groups and whole school through peer assessment, and showcasing work around the school.

Design Technology builds BELIEF by:

  • Understanding that they have valuable ideas and opinions to offer.

  • Seeing projects through from start to finish empowers and reinforces positive self-worth.

  • By endorsing the value of an individual’s contribution, through encouragement to reflect on both their own and others' process and outcome.

  • Providing an environment where all ideas and responses are welcome.

Design Technology builds CREATIVITY by:

  • Breaking down rules on design, encouraging free thought and design.

  • Embracing the question: What is good design?’

  • Building proficiency in technique in a wide variety of processes and presentations, giving an increased level of confidence when working independently and collaboratively.

  • Giving opportunities for learners to generate their own ideas and explore new possibilities to produce innovative outcomes.

  • Promoting the concept of risk-taking as part of lesson objectives.

Wider British Values 

St Michael’s is a Church of England school that believes that supporting children’s development of character and values, including the core British values of democracy, mutual respect, liberty and the rule of law, is an essential part of equipping young people to thrive as citizens in the world of the future. Design Technology actively supports this by:

  • Intrinsically requires students to see products from a user’s perspective encouraging respect and understanding of different viewpoints and cultures.

  • Encouraging learners to combine intelligence and practical ability to create real products that enhance the world in which we live.  When products are imagined, designed and then made it creates an enormous sense of satisfaction and leads to a sense of achievement. 

  • Design and Technology is not about always giving the right answer it is more about asking the right questions.

  • Students are encouraged to learn how to overcome obstacles, how to design and plan systematically, develop their sense of judgement and extend their horizon. They then produce something of value, products that are a delight to them or their design audience. 

  • Hard work, discipline, and a passion for seeing a task through will give them self-worth that then gives them respect in themselves.

  • They enhance and support the work in other subjects such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.

  • Design and Technology is all about life, and making life better. Students learn that it is, quite literally the nuts and bolts of society.  If you eat, sleep, breath, wear clothing, use technology and do any activity you are engaging with Design and Technology.  They could be the next person to have a fantastic idea to improve the lives of millions – who would not want to be a part of that?

Where it all fits in 

If you are working well in this subject these are the skills you are learning:

An understanding of aesthetics, Design Protocol, ACCESS FM, Ergonomics, Technical competence in many processes, presentation, time management, visual communication, innovation and lateral thinking, observation, independent enquiry and research, critical analysis and reflection.

If you like this subject then these are some of the jobs you can go on to:

Industrial Designer, Furniture Designer, Internet Designer, Engineer, Architect, Graphic Designer, Product Designer, Advertising consultant, CAD CAM Engineer, Artist, illustrator, film/theatre set design, costume design, advertising, marketing, architecture, graphic designer, animator, model maker, special effects, gallery curator, teacher, web designer, photographer, Carpenter, Chef,  -----fashion designer shop designer, nutritionist