Design and Technology Key Groups

All areas of our curriculum at Boldon School, is successfully adapted, designed and developed to be ambitious and meet the needs of all students. Each subject area develops their knowledge, skills and abilities to apply what they know and can do this with increasing fluency and independence.

Our teachers check pupils’ understanding systematically, identify misconceptions accurately and provide clear, direct feedback. They respond and adapt their teaching as necessary without unnecessarily elaborate or individualised approaches. This is to get the very best outcomes for our students whether they are SEND, disadvantaged or to challenge our higher ability students. This will ensure that students are ready for their next stage of education, employment or training to gain qualifications that allow them to go on to destinations that meet their interests and aspirations and the intention of their course of study.

How the design & technology Curriculum supports our SEND students:

The Department for Education states, ‘Children and young people with SEND all have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children and young people of the same age. These children and young people may need extra or different help from that given to others.’

Boldon School is an inclusive school where every student is encouraged to develop a thirst for knowledge, to enjoy their curriculum and feel valued as a member of our school community. We are committed to the progress, inclusion and resilience of each student and support the learning journey that they require. Our curriculum is successfully adapted, designed or developed to be ambitious and meet the needs of pupils with SEND, developing their knowledge, skills and abilities to apply what they know and can do with increasing fluency and independence across all subject areas.

Our design technology teachers are committed to supporting SEND students in both their practical and written controlled assessment, and in their exam preparation. The design process carried out by students for their controlled assessment is strengthened by a bank of supporting resources. SEND students in particular can use these to look at examples of work, equipment manuals and criteria breakdowns. If a student struggles to use a piece of machinery, they will have access to a subject technician or a learning support assistant in addition to the classroom teacher. This level of support ensures safe working practices. There is a suite of computers which ensures students can process their work electronically and also use subject specific software. This allows SEND students to improve their computer competence, especially in relation to google software. When approaching examinations, SEND students will be assessed for additional allowances, such as a reader or extra time. At the minimum, students will be provided with differentiated revision materials. 

How the design & technology Curriculum supports our disadvantaged students:

How the design technology curriculum supports our disadvantaged students:

The Secretary of State for Education set out the government’s national plan to support children and young people to reach their full potential, regardless of their backgrounds. With an overarching goal and aim of improving social mobility through education, and delivering better educational and career outcomes more evenly across England.

At Boldon School we have 50% of our students with high levels of deprivation, but strive to raise the attainment and aspirations of all students regardless of social background. We have a robust allocation system of pupil premium funding to obtain the most successful outcomes for our students and to narrow the gaps in attainment across all subject areas.

Disadvantaged students are supported in design technology in various ways. The school has an excellent range of materials which are prepared and maintained by our subject technician. These materials are available for students to use in their controlled assessment products, allowing them to design creatively without the concern of buying resources. Students also have access to top of the range machinery such as a laser cutter 3D printer, brazing hearth and various class based machines. These are also available to use at extracurricular times, when students can catch up with both written work and creative work. Exam revision materials, such as textbooks and guides, can be purchased by the faculty to ensure all students have fair preparation for external assessments. 

How the design & technology Curriculum supports our higher ability students:

HM Chief Inspector stated, If we are going to succeed as an economy and as a society, we have to make more of our most able young people. We need them to become the political, commercial and professional leaders of tomorrow. 

At Boldon school we aim to nurture scholastic excellence through a challenging curriculum where the work given to students is demanding and matches the aims of the curriculum in being coherently planned and sequenced towards cumulatively sufficient knowledge. We recognise the need to stretch and challenge all students but especially our MAT and higher ability students to obtain maximum progress.

Higher ability students are supported in design technology through a well planned curriculum that provides learning opportunities for our gifted learners. They are encouraged to find creative and original design solutions by experienced teachers and support staff, some of whom have industry experience. Students who can evidence the ability to use machinery safely and accurately will be granted more independence, allowing them to develop their practical skills in a secure environment.  Students will also have the chance to partake in trips out of school to see design technology in a commercial setting. We also invite speakers into the school to inspire students to consider aspirational design technology careers such as product designers, architects and industrial designers. During exam preparation, high ability students will be challenged to develop their answers to extended writing questions. Mastering this skill will allow them to unlock the higher grades that they are capable of.