Design & Technology Vision at Dedworth Middle School 

At Dedworth Middle School, the vision for Design and Technology (D&T), including Food and Nutrition, focuses on fostering creativity, practical skills, and real-world problem-solving. The aim is to equip students with the confidence to experiment, innovate, and refine their ideas while developing the core technical abilities that will serve them in a wide range of future pathways. 

Vision for KS2 

Practical, Hands-On Learning: 
Students will actively engage in designing, making, and evaluating products. Emphasis will be placed on allowing children to develop practical skills. 

• Creative Problem Solving: The curriculum will encourage students to think critically about design challenges. They will learn how to break down problems, come up with creative solutions, and improve on their ideas. The process will encourage students to understand that failure is part of the learning journey, and they will gain confidence in testing and refining their ideas. 
• Sustainability and Ethical Design: Students will explore sustainable and ethical design principles, such as reducing waste, using eco-friendly materials, and considering the social and environmental impact of design decisions.  

Food and Nutrition Lessons:  

Food and Nutrition lessons will be carefully integrated into the broader Design and Technology curriculum. They will be designed to not only teach students how to cook but also to understand the importance of food in relation to health and culture. 

• Practical Cooking Skills: Students will learn the basics of cooking, including safe food handling, preparation, and cooking techniques. They will have the opportunity to create a range of simple, nutritious meals using a variety of ingredients and cooking methods. These lessons will give students a sense of achievement and help them develop lifelong skills. 
• Cultural Awareness and Diversity: Students will explore food from different cultures and learn about global food traditions and dietary practices. This will promote an appreciation for diverse cuisines and foster respect for different cultural perspectives on food. 

Key Features of the Curriculum 

• Project-Based Learning: Students will work on projects that involve both individual and group tasks. They will design, create, and evaluate their work, such as developing a product, and designing a solution to a problem. This hands-on approach will help build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. 

• Reflective Learning: After each project or lesson, students will reflect on what they have learned, how their designs or cooking practices could be improved, and how they could apply their learning in the future. This encourages a growth mindset and self-improvement. 

• Practical Assessments: Assessment will focus not only on the final product but on the process—students will be evaluated on their design ideas, how they approach challenges, their teamwork, and how they evaluate and improve their work. This holistic approach encourages students to value the learning journey, not just the end result. 

Dedworth Middle School’s vision for Design and Technology at KS2 is to develop practical, creative, and critical thinkers who can design and make products, understand the importance of nutrition, and apply sustainable and ethical principles. The curriculum will combine hands-on activities with cross-curricular learning, ensuring students are well-equipped for both academic and personal growth. 

Vision for KS3 

• Hands-On Practical Learning The heart of the DT curriculum at KS3 is rooted in practical, hands-on experiences. Students will engage in projects that allow them to design, create, and evaluate products, learning by doing, this involves: 

  • Preparing a variety of dishes to understand nutritional needs, cooking techniques, and food safety. 

  • Designing and making functional, user-centred products. 

• Problem-Solving and Creativity Students will be encouraged to identify problems and generate creative solutions. They will learn how to: 

  • Develop design briefs. 

  • Sketch and model concepts. 

  • Use materials appropriately. 

  • Evaluate and test their designs and creations to improve functionality, sustainability, and user-friendliness. 

• Collaboration and Communication Students work in teams, where collaboration is key to the design and production process. They will: 

  • Share ideas. 

  • Provide constructive feedback to peers. 

  • Work through challenges together. 

  • Learn how to communicate their design processes through visual, written, verbal feedback. 

• Sustainability and Ethical Design A key focus is integrating sustainability and ethical considerations into design and making decisions. This includes: 

  • Learning how to choose materials that are environmentally friendly. 

  • Considering the impact of food choices on health, the environment, and local economies. 

• Core Technical Skills Students will develop practical skills in using a range of tools, equipment, and techniques in both design and food production. These could include: 

  • Working with various materials such as textiles, woods, plastics, and card in design projects. 

  • Understanding kitchen equipment and safety procedures for preparing food. 

  • Developing technical knowledge of food preservation, nutrition, and dietary requirements. 

• Cross-Curricular Learning D&T and Food and Nutrition will be integrated with other subjects to enhance students' learning experience: 

  • Links to science (e.g., materials, cooking chemistry). 

  • Application of maths in measurements, proportions, and costing. 

  • Exploration of history and culture through food origins and design evolution. 

• Lifelong Learning and Independence The aim is to develop students' ability to work independently, fostering a mindset of lifelong learning. Students will: 

  • Reflect on their work, evaluating successes and areas for improvement. 

  • Take ownership of their learning, using feedback to make informed improvements to their designs or dishes. 

• Preparation for Future Careers The curriculum will also give students insights into various career paths within the design and food industries. By the end of KS3, students should have: 

  • Gained skills that can be built on in KS4 design or food technology courses. 

  • Developed practical problem-solving and creative thinking abilities that are valuable in many fields beyond design and food production. 

Dedworth Middle School's vision for D&T at KS3 is about blending practical, creative, and critical thinking skills to enable students to engage meaningfully with the world around them—whether through designing innovative products or making thoughtful, nutritious food choices.