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Welcome to the Design and Technology Department

Our Department Vision

Our aim is to develop independent and innovative Designers who ‘Think outside of the box’

At Copthall Design and Technology is an exciting subject that is always evolving. With its place firmly in the STEM community the subject enables our students to design and make inspiring, rigorous, and innovative products. Design and Technology aims to teach our students the necessary skills to be 21st Century learners.

The subject is both an academic and creative, allowing students to develop valuable transferable skills. Students will make clear links between Mathematics, Science and Computer Science within Design and Technology.

Students in Years 7 and 8 (KS3) will follow a broad curriculum studying all elements of Design and Technology.  The GCSE in Design and Technology is an exciting course that gives our students the opportunity to identify and solve real problems by designing and making products.  They will build on the skills and knowledge with an emphasis on specialising on a preferred material and construction in Year 11.  KS5 students will build upon skills learnt at KS4 in D&T GCSE.  It will extend their specialisms and enable them to develop a high quality portfolio and product that shows their creativity, skills and enthusiasm for, Design and Technology.

The Curriculum Leader may be contacted via email enquiries@copthall.barnet.sch.uk

Curriculum

Document Downloads

Design Technology KS3 Curriculum-Map

Design Technology KS4 Curriculum-Map

Click here for Sixth Form Subjects

The Specification enable learners to investigate materials and a range of making techniques during Year 9 and Year 10. Students can then choose one specialist area of study for GCSE in Design and Technology as listed below for Year 11:

  • Product Design
  • Graphic Products
  • Textiles Technology

Students will build on their skills, knowledge and understanding from Key Stage 3. They will develop problem solving, analytical, communication skills, designing and modelling skills to produce 3D products.

Non -Exam Assessment (NEA)

Coursework/ Controlled Assessment - this is 30 -35 Hours approximately, worth 100 marks – 50% of the total marks

Written Exam

This is 2 hours written exam – worth 100 marks – 50% of the total marks

Extra-Curricular Activities

The department are developing workshops /partnerships with the following organisation to offering a range of extra-curricular activities and visits for students across the key stages:

  • Opportunities to visit and work with professional artists
  • Visits to the V&A / Creative Quartile
  • Design Museum
  • Science Museum
  • Royal central school of speech and Drama - https://www.cssd.ac.uk/creative-design-production this school covers all disciplines under the new DT specification

Careers and Employment

Interior Designer, Architect, Set Designer, Brand Designer, Product Designer, Graphic Designer, Fashion Designer, Industrial Designer, Fashion Illustration, Exhibition Designer, Pattern Cutters, Trend Forecasters and more!

Recommended Reading

BBC Bitesize

Victoria & Albert Museum V&A

Design Museum

Fashion Textiles Museum

Facilities

We offer students the opportunity to be creative, using their imaginations to produce innovative outcomes for a wide range of users. The department has 4 purpose built specialist rooms, two suite of computers, access to wireless laptops, a laser cutter and vinyl cutter. The equipment’s allows our students to learn how to use a wide choice of tools and materials effectively and safely as stepping stones to accomplish the aims of the briefs.

Design Gallery

Please click on links to see full gallery
 

Back into the workshop for the first time in September 2021, our students were given their first taster practical task.

Students were asked to draw, cut and make a creative recycle fish made from MDF, they could use reusable laser cut plywood for decorations.

Outcome - fantastic handmade MDF fish professional decorated.