D&T

The Design and Technology department at Cheney includes three distinct areas: Product Design, Textiles, and Food Technology.

We offer a creative learning experience for students by enabling them to learn through designing, making and problem solving. This gives students the opportunity to challenge themselves and take risks whether working independently or as part of a team.

We are committed to raising standards and opportunities for students by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to be responsible consumers of products and to gain access to the 21st Century workplace.

Our teaching is designed to inspire and motivate students to achieve their full potential.
Our Department includes two food rooms, a textiles room, a product design room and a dual purpose room. All rooms are fully resourced with equipment including:

KEY STAGE THREE

At Key Stage Three, students follow a carousel system. Through a variety of creative and practical activities, they develop knowledge and understanding of the ‘design and make’ process, through using textiles, product design and food.

As part of their work with food, students also have an opportunity to make a selection of predominantly savoury products.

KEY STAGE FOUR

GCSE  D&T FOOD PREPARATION AND NUTRITION

Examination board - AQA

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition is an exciting new course.  It focuses on practical cooking skills ensuring that students develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials.  The course focus is on nurturing students’ practical cookery skills to give them a strong understanding of nutrition.

Food preparation skills are integrated into five core topics:

• Food, nutrition and health

• Food science

• Food safety

• Food choice

• Food provenance

This new qualification has also been endorsed by several celebrity chefs such as Heston Blumenthal, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Nicole Pisani.

GCSE D&T (specialising in Product Design)

Examination board - AQA

This course includes practical skills at the same time as providing students with knowledge about design and industry. Students design products to meet real world needs using a variety of materials and learn what happens to products when they don't want them anymore. During the course students are introduced to particular aspects of designing and making from architecture to jewellery design. Students evidence all their design, development and evaluations in a portfolio.

GCSE D&T (specialising in Textiles)

Examination board - AQA

As with Product Design, this course includes practical skills at the same time as providing students with knowledge about the clothing and textiles industry. Students discover all about fabric technology. Where do the fibres come from? How are fabrics made? What are the latest modern developments in smart fabrics? Students learn about product lifecycle and sustainability and all about how fabric products are made in Industry. They are set a brief from the exam board which will be to design and make a fabric product. This may be a fashion item, a soft toy, a theatre costume or accessory.

KEY STAGE FIVE

A LEVEL FASHION AND TEXTILES AND A LEVEL PRODUCT DESIGN

Examination board - Eduqas
One 3 hour exam paper

Full details available in our Sixth Form Subject Guide.

Sixth Form Wider Reading and Discovery Lists for A-Level Product Design