DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

At Saints Peter and Paul, our Design & Technology curriculum invites students to explore creativity, solve real-world problems, and act as compassionate, innovative citizens.

This subject is deeply embedded in our Catholic mission, encouraging stewardship of creation, respect for others, and resilient creativity.

“Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future”

Robert L Peters

We aim for our students to:

Grow as innovative problem-solvers rooted in a faith that calls us to care for God’s creation.
Make ethical design decisions—reflecting on sustainability, materials origins, health, and community needs.
Become independent, resilient learners who take creative risks and learn from failure.
Be creative thinkers contributing to the well-being of individuals and society at large.

Key Stage 3: Building a Broad Foundation

We deliver a carousel-based programme aligned to the National Curriculum, ensuring pupils experience diverse DT disciplines:

Years 7 & 9 | Students spend half the year in Product Design and half in Food Preparation & Nutrition, transitioning seamlessly between practical specialisms with the same teacher, ensuring continuity of learning and strong relationships.
Year 8 | Students rotate through Food Preparation and Nutrition, Textiles, and Product Design, gaining exposure to a wide range of media and skills.
Learning is practical, cross-curricular (drawing on maths, science, art, computing), and oriented toward real-life contexts.

Key Stage 4: Tailored Pathways

Students choose from study routes that suit their interests and aspirations:

Level 1/2 Award in Constructing the Built Environment
GCSE Design & Technology
GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition

These qualification options build on KS3 foundations, offering deeper technical, creative, and evaluative skill development, while aligning with college, apprenticeship, and employment pathways.

Enrichment & Future Pathways

We broaden students’ understanding and opportunities through:

Signposting to external resources for inspiration and deeper learning.
Encouraging awareness of career possibilities in design, engineering, architecture, food science, and textiles.
Equipping students with a portfolio of creative, technical, and reflective skills, preparing them for formal study and purposeful employment.

Catholic SOCIAL TEACHING

Spiritual & Moral Reflection: Students learn to value the dignity of all users, designing ethically and sustainably.
Social Development: Collaborative project work fosters respect, empathy, and communication.
Cultural Enrichment: Awareness of global design influences and the ethics behind design choices.
Catholic Formation: Every project prompts students to reflect on how their work can serve others, particularly the economically disadvantaged or those with specific needs.