All pupils study Design & Technology, for 4 hours per fortnight. During this time they study a series of modules, giving a broad experience of DT activities in each year. Group sizes are up to 20 pupils, with allocation of single 60-minute periods.

Cultural influences designed ‘Totem Pole’, The design of a small personal desk tidy, an electronic mini-light system, a team board game design project, a look at anthropometrics with the design of a wire action figure, the design of a 3D small hand held game, the making of a bottle opener with an ergonomic handle. A group project on the school environment and litter.

Jewellery design based on natural forms, team bridge building competition, electronic timer project, small items storage project, A look at design movements and designers, personal grooming or decoration mirror project. A look at new and smart materials, a look at how products have changed and developed over time. Urban transport assignment.

Years 9-11 (Key Stage 4) GCSE

GCSE Design Technology may be taken as an option subject. Group sizes are generally 18-19 students in each area.

In recent years 9-10 numbers opting for DT have meant one group in Resistant Materials or Product Design, two in Engineering, and two groups in Food Technology or catering.

In the cases of ‘Resistant Materials’, ‘Product Design’ and ‘Food Technology’, a coursework ‘Design and Make’ controlled assignment is involved, accounting for 60% of the courses. This runs alongside the theoretical studies, where properties of materials, methods of processing, together with safety and social issues, are covered.

The Written examination Paper accounts for 40% of the courses. Time allocation is five 60-minute periods over the two week timetable. It is important that students choose coursework projects to best show their skills and abilities. Projects often relate to an area of interest, a hobby, or other contacts where it is possible to identify a ‘client’ and approach the design process from a wider context. The intention is for students to have an ’open’ remit in terms of the nature and complexity of project chosen and this results in a wide range of personal and socially-focused projects.

Examples of recent Resistant Materials projects include a occasional tables, seating and storage systems.

The most popular Food Technology projects include designing and making school canteen main courses, multicultural food products, and cook chill products for local farm shops.

The Catering course involves two 2 hour controlled practical assignments and an examination for one and half hours testing the students knowledge of food preparation and catering industry.

The Engineering course is a double option course, worth two GCSE grades, the aim of the GCSE in Engineering is to provide students at with opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding that underpin the creation of engineered products, engineering systems and engineering services.
The Engineering course is equivalent to two GCSE’s and is graded as A*A* to GG. Students taking this option are given the equivalent of two option blocks on the timetable. The course requires three units to be studied. Unit 1 is (Design and graphical communication in engineering), Unit 2 is (Making Engineered Products) and Unit 3 is (Applications of Technology). Units 1 & 2 are coursework assessment based where as Unit 3 is examination based.

In Year 11 students have the option to take further compacted full GCSE courses in Product Design, Food Technology or Electronic products. The makeup of these courses is similar to the DT Resistant materials and Food courses explained earlier.

Years 12-13 (Sixth Form AS / A Level)

A number of candidates each year opt for further Design Technology study to GCE AS / A level standard. These candidates come not only from Woodlands Academy but also other centres in the west side of the City. Time allocation is based on half day sessions but totals five 60-minute periods per week. Design Technology 3D Product Design with AQA is offered here. This is a broad - based course which is quite demanding, but which allows a good degree of flexibility to allow for the expertise and facilities within the school and the interests and aspirations of students.