Design and Technology

At The Derby High School, our Design & Technology curriculum encourages creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Students learn to design and make high-quality products for a range of users by combining practical skills with an understanding of materials, systems, and sustainability.

The curriculum develops technical competence through hands-on projects in textiles, timbers, polymers, electronics, and CAD/CAM, while building transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. Students are encouraged to make connections between design, science, engineering, and art, preparing them for further study and careers in STEM, creative industries, and beyond.

RESILIENCE Framework

R – Real World
E – Engaging & Enriching
S – Skills for Life
I – Inclusive
L – Leadership
I – Independence
E – Encourages Reflection
N – Next Steps
C – Challenge
E – Ethics & Empathy

KS2 National Curriculum Links

At Key Stage 2, students learn to:

Understand design criteria to help design purposeful, functional products.
Select from a wide range of tools to cut, shape, join and finish materials.
Apply understanding of how to strengthen complex structures.
Use mechanical and electronic systems in their work.

These skills are built upon and expanded across Key Stages 3 and 4 through increasingly complex design briefs, projects, and practical applications.

Curriculum Overview

Year 7

Textiles – Fabric Monster
Research, embroidery, applique, and embellishment techniques; textile templates and material management.
Acrylic Clock – Memphis Design
Polymers, sustainability, and the Memphis design movement; environmental impact of plastics.
Table Tennis Bat
Working with timbers, ergonomics, anthropometrics, and quality control.

Year 8

Acrylic LED Keyring
Electronics, components, polymer and composite materials; exploded diagrams and surface treatment.
Planetarium Project
CAD/CAM, emerging technologies, material properties, and use of laser cutters.
LED Desk Lamp
Circuit design, soldering, tessellation and nesting, PCB work, and material efficiency.

Year 9

Engineering – Campervan Project
Iconic design, material research, and engineering principles.
Biomimicry Textiles Frame
Biomimicry, embroidery, applique, and joining techniques.
Mobile Phone Amplifier
Ethical design, automation, AI, laser cutting, and 3D printing.

Years 10 & 11 – AQA GCSE Design & Technology

Term 1 – Design Approaches

Designers and design companies, scales of production, QA/QC, sustainability (6Rs), and modelling.
Practical Project: Robotic Hand Prototype.

Term 2 – Material Properties

Working properties of timbers, polymers, composites, alloys and modern materials.
Practical Project: Serving Tray and Polymorph Experiment.

Term 3 – Manufacturing Processes

Additive and subtractive manufacturing, forming and reforming of materials.
Start of NEA Coursework (50%): Research and Design Brief.

Year 11 – NEA and Exam Preparation

Coursework Sections B–F: Design ideas, development, making, and evaluation.
Mock exams, revision and final assessment (NEA and written exam, each 50%).

Post-16 Pathways (KS5 & Degree Level)

Product Design and Development
Engineering (Mechanical, Electronic, Materials Science)
Architecture
Plumbing and Electrical Installation

Career Pathways and Apprenticeships

Practical & Technical Careers
Carpentry and Joinery
Plumbing
Electrician
Engineering
Fashion Design

Related Professions and Transferable Skills
Surgeon
Dentist
Optician
Nurse
Marketing Specialist
Graphic Designer
Programmer / Software Engineer
Web Developer

Design and Technology Curriculum Map

How you can help your child in Key Stage Three:

Test them on their keywords for each project (vocabulary lists are on the front of the students' books).
Ensure they are engaging with current news relating to the climate crisis and global warming.
Quiz them on their knowledge of different materials.

How you can help your child in Key Stage Four (AQA):

Quiz them using the taboo cards or revision zines they have made in lessons.
Check in with their progress on their coursework on Microsoft Teams (beginning in June of Year 10).
Ask them to consider products around them and explain the manufacturing processes and life cycle analysis of these products.