Design and Technology
Curriculum Sequence
At St Thomas More Catholic Academy, Design and Technology gives every pupil the opportunity to be creative, solve real-world problems and develop practical skills with confidence. Pupils learn through Food, Textiles and Product Design, building their knowledge through exciting projects that connect designing and making to everyday life, future study and a wide range of careers.
Throughout Key Stage 3, pupils are taught how to work safely and independently, use specialist tools and equipment, communicate their ideas, and improve their work through testing and evaluation. Sustainability, responsible use of materials and pride in craftsmanship are woven through the curriculum, reflecting our commitment to stewardship, human dignity and the dignity of work.
Please click on the icons below to view the curriculum sequence for each Key Stage. The curriculum sequence will show you the big question students will be exploring, as well as the key content and ‘Tier 3’ subject-specific vocabulary that students need to understand in order to access the deeper curriculum for each term. There are also links to careers, Catholic Social Teaching, and opportunities through which you can enrich your child’s experience beyond the classroom as a family.
Curriculum Implementation
Teaching across Food, Product Design and Textiles is practical, creative, and knowledge rich. Lessons combine clear teacher demonstrations, modelling, and guided practice with opportunities for pupils to apply their learning independently. Pupils develop confidence through increasingly challenging projects, moving from secure foundations at Key Stage 3 to more personal and independent responses at Key Stage 4.
Teachers know their pupils well and use assessment; pupil passports and individual SEND needs to plan appropriate support and challenge. Instructions are broken into manageable stages, with visual examples, demonstrations, adapted resources, key vocabulary, and regular checks for understanding. High expectations remain in place for every student.
Literacy is developed through reading design briefs, learning technical vocabulary, researching artists and designers, annotating ideas, and explaining, analysing and evaluating practical work. Oracy is encouraged through questioning, discussion, demonstrations, and opportunities for pupils to justify their creative and design decisions.
Numeracy is applied naturally across the curriculum. Pupils measure accurately, calculate quantities and proportions, work with scale, dimensions and anthropometric data, interpret nutritional information, and manage time, temperature, and costs.
Projects develop creativity, teamwork, resilience, problem-solving and independent learning. Pupils use traditional practical skills alongside technologies such as Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacture. Assessment is planned throughout each project so that pupils receive regular verbal and written feedback and have opportunities to improve their knowledge, practical skills, and final outcomes.
Learning is enriched through competitions and extracurricular opportunities, including activities such as KMF Young Engineer of the Year. Pupils are also encouraged to extend their learning at home through cooking, upcycling textiles, exploring artists, and designers, practising CAD, and using MAPPER to revisit important subject vocabulary.
At Key Stage 4 – In OCR Textiles and 3D Design, pupils develop a personal portfolio through research, drawing, experimentation, modelling, sampling, practical development, and the refinement of final outcomes. They are supported to understand and demonstrate all four assessment objectives before progressing to the externally set assignment. In NCFE Food and Cookery, pupils combine increasingly complex practical work with the study of nutrition, ingredient functions, food safety, provenance, and menu planning. Regular assessment, mock tasks, and examination practice prepare pupils for both the practical and written elements of the qualification.
The curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure that it remains ambitious, inclusive, and relevant, while helping pupils understand the links between Food, Textiles, Product Design, sustainability, future study, and careers.
Year 7: Building confidence and learning the foundations
In Year 7, pupils complete three rotations across Food, Textiles and Product Design. We recognise that pupils join us with various levels of previous experience, so the year is carefully designed to build confidence and give everyone a secure foundation.
In Food, pupils learn about healthy eating, nutrients, and the importance of safe food preparation. They become familiar with kitchen equipment and develop practical skills such as measuring, preparing, kneading, shaping, and baking.
In Textiles, pupils explore fabrics, fibers and sustainability before learning hand and machine-sewing techniques. Inspired by the cultural tradition of Kantha textiles, they design and make a personalised fabric patch for a collaborative wall hanging.
In Product Design, pupils investigate different types of wood and learn to use workshop tools safely. They design and make a wooden truck, recording the stages of production and developing accuracy, resilience, and pride in the quality of their finished work.
Year 8: Developing creativity and designing for a user
Year 8 builds these foundations and places greater emphasis on creativity, decision-making and designing for a particular user or purpose. Pupils continue to rotate through all three areas of Design and Technology.
In Food, pupils develop their understanding of food hygiene, safe storage, and healthy eating through dishes such as pasta salad, pizza, chilli and fruit muffins. They use the Eatwell Guide to make informed choices and become increasingly confident when using knives, ovens, and hobs.
The Sweet Stitches Textiles project encourages pupils to respond imaginatively to a design brief inspired by sweets, cakes, or biscuits. They explore techniques including tie dye, Brusho, appliqué, embellishment, hand stitching, and machine stitching before producing a colourful, well-finished textile outcome.
In Product Design, pupils design and manufacture a functional phone stand. They learn how ergonomics and anthropometric data help designers create products that are comfortable and suitable for their users. Pupils also use Computer Aided Design (CAD), to develop ideas through modelling and improve the accuracy and quality of their practical work.
Year 9: Applying skills with greater independence
In Year 9, pupils spend half of the year studying Food and the other half developing their skills through Textiles & Product Design. Projects are more challenging and encourage pupils to bring together their research, creative thinking, technical knowledge, and practical skills with increasing independence.
In Food, pupils explore international cuisines and learn how culture influences the food we prepare and share. They develop more advanced preparation and cooking skills while studying food science, temperature control, nutrition, and food labelling. This helps pupils make safe, balanced, and informed food choices.
In Textiles, pupils take inspiration from nature, cells, and microscopic forms. Through artist research, observational drawing, watercolour, repeat pattern, embroidery, machine stitching, and mixed media, they develop and refine a personal stitched textile artwork.
In Product Design, pupils design and make a commercially viable USB lamp. They explore electronic components, circuits, and soldering alongside advanced workshop processes. Their design decisions consider ergonomics, sustainability, market pull and technology push, helping them understand how successful products respond to changing user needs and modern technologies.
Preparing pupils for the future
By the end of Key Stage 3, pupils have experienced a broad and ambitious Design and Technology curriculum. They have developed practical confidence, creative problem-solving, resilience, and an understanding of how ideas move from an initial brief to a carefully made final outcome. The curriculum also introduces pupils to careers in areas such as engineering, product design, construction, food science, hospitality, nutrition, fashion, textiles, and the wider creative industries.
Further Information
Product Design/Textiles.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/gcse/design-and-technology-8552
Subject Leader Information
For more information or if you have any questions please use the contact details below.
Mrs C Carroll-Wright – Subject LeaderCCarroll-Wright@stmca.org.uk