DT

Mission Statement

When graduating Gravesend Grammar School’s Design and Technology program we expect our learners to be prepared for an ever changing and progressing world. It is vital we push our students to understand the importance of empathy and inclusivity as this is crucial for all successful design and engineers. Within Design and Technology our learners develop confidence to be able to freely explore their ideas, to seek and to tackle the design challenges they encounter. Coming up with exciting and innovative solutions to problems.

Our learners are comfortable to act upon the feedback they are given, objectively. A harmonious environment is nurtured, whereby our students can build their resilience and can work collaboratively in order to create solutions.

We want our learners to be confident and competent to present and communicate their ideas both visually and verbally. Our learners are able to thrive in an environment that may naturally be outside of their comfort zone due to the safe and inclusive setting we aim to create.

In order to develop their solutions, ideas and products our students learn and practice a whole host of technical and practical skills from the start of year seven. This includes the use of computer aided design and computer manufacturing. As Well as learning workshop based technical skills with tools which support and develop their dexterity. We believe strongly that Design and Technology students have the range of skills required to succeed in whatever career they choose, but also to excel in their personal lives.

Student Voice

Key Stage 3

“Here at Gravesend Grammar, I feel very privileged to have access to a diverse curriculum which allows me to develop a broad range of skills. Design and Technology Is one such area that has really appealed to me. I enjoy it not only because I get to design new things and build them, but because it also shows me how to plan thoroughly and execute that plan until it is a model in front of you. DT enables you to have an idea and go through a clear planning process until you are at the point where you can make your ideas a reality! I have learnt this process during these first few terms as well as how to use online software to work efficiently and easily add detail to any evaluations I have to write up. I hope that by seeing my opinion on this subject, you may be inspired to work even harder in DT and see it in a new light that you never thought existed!”

Key Stage 4

“I picked GCSE D.T for various reasons. Mainly because i believe it is one of the only subjects that allow you to be independent, as it allows you to create things that you personally want to make, and it is independent as you learn how to problem solve and overcome problems ( with the help of the teachers at first, but you develop the skill of independence later on ).

I enjoy D.T at the moment because I am able to develop my own ideas into real world items, and it allows me to come up with tailored solutions to my own problems. For example our first self-design project in year 9 is to create a product which will improve our lives at home. This allowed me to take charge of my own project and fix my own problems, in a personalised and bespoke way that isn't available on the market and I really enjoy this about D.T.

My final reason is the ability to actually take charge of my own surroundings and to be in control ( with obviously keeping up with deadlines and specifications), whereas in other subjects what you do and make in class is all written and is already dictated to you what you are going to make, but in D.T you have free reign.

However, do not get me wrong, it won't be a smooth journey, and you'll be challenged (just like any other subject) , but in a way that will expand your knowledge and build you as a person, and if anything is more rewarding than other subjects as you actually are able to create something that you can treasure and use, and something that you can be proud of, so it is all worth it in the end.”