Aims of Department
Design and Technology is a dynamic and enormously valuable subject area in which all pupils can develop self-esteem, vital key skills and have the confidence to make a positive contribution to society. Design and Technology at the Thornhill Community Academy is about encouraging, teaching and inspiring children to:

• Enjoy the subject
• Design creatively
• Develop high quality making and thinking skills
• Pay attention to detail
• Have confidence to experiment and make informed decisions
• Produce quality products in a range of materials
• Use technology to make things work
• Work independently
• Evaluate critically and suggest modifications

The Key Stage 3 curriculum
In KS3 students will study 2 hours of Design & Technology split over a two-week timetable. To ensure all students in KS3 get a broad and balance experience they will stay in two material areas for one half of the year then move onto their final 2 material areas in the second half of the year. This will then ensure that every student will have an opportunity to fully experience each of the following material areas, these being, Art & design, textiles, Design & Technology and food technology.

Each project will ensure that key skills are sequenced throughout, with a specific focus on accurate high-quality design and make activities which provide a sound foundation for KS4. Activities include: CAD (Computer aided design), practical workshop experience & design work. At the end of each project students are given an assessment task before moving onto their next project within each material area.

BTEC Tech Award in Construction and the Built Environment offered at Key stage 4
The Construction and the built environment Technical Award is designed to give students a taste of the building sector through developing the skills already acquired throughout KS3 coupled with the specific applied knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the construction industry. Over two years the course will be assessed using a combination of vocational assignments, practical tasks, written assessments and an external assessment set and marked by Pearson. This will be completed under supervised conditions over 1 hour and 30 mins.

What does this qualification cover? 
Learners will have the opportunity to develop applied knowledge and practical skills in the following areas:

• Construction technology
• Construction in practice
• Construction and design. 

This Technical Award looks at specific skills in carpentry and joinery, and by providing a more applied area of study when looking at the different types of technologies being used in a real-world setting.

What can the qualification lead to? 
This course will help our students to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in the construction sector. The choices that learners can make post-16 will depend on their overall level of attainment and their performance in the qualification. 

Learners who pass the course might consider progression to:

• A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects.
• The study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in Construction and the Built Environment, which prepares students to enter employment or an apprenticeship.
• Students who perform well in this qualification, should strongly consider this as a progression route as it can lead to employment in the construction sector.

Curriculum Plans
Curriculum plans for Design & Technology can be viewed from the links below.