Design, Technology and Engineering at NOA
Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject.
Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, desires and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.
At North Oxfordshire Academy the Year 9 Design & Technology curriculum is designed to recognise children’s prior learning, provide first hand learning experiences, allow children to develop interpersonal skills, build resilience and become creative, critical thinkers.
Every student is recognised as a unique individual. The ability to learn is underpinned by the teaching of basic skills, knowledge, concepts and values. We constantly provide enhancement opportunities to engage learning and believe that DT classroom teaching should be a happy, investigative and enquiring time in a student’s life where there are no limits to curiosity and there is a thirst for new experience and knowledge. We structure delivery of new information through scaffolded tasks, and continually test students’ ability and understanding to promote positive attitudes to learning, which support the values and skills needed to foster responsibility for learning and future success. Assessment takes the form of practical and written activities throughout the Year 9.
At KS4/5 Engineering offers an educational experience that focuses learning for 11–18-year-olds through applied learning, i.e. acquiring and applying knowledge, skills and understanding through purposeful tasks set in subject contexts using skills that will directly translate to the real working world. This is reinforced through our links with local manufacturing companies.
The core purpose is to enable learners to learn in such a way that they develop the following skills:
- Independent learning and development
- A range of generic and transferable skills
- The ability to solve problems
- The skills of project-based research, development and presentation
- Effective communication and the ability to interpret information, particularly in design and problem-solving contexts
- The fundamental ability to work alongside other professionals in a professional environment
- The ability to apply learning in vocational contexts.
Studying Design and Technology includes the use of a broad range of knowledge, skills, and understanding, and prompts engagement in a wide variety of activities. Pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. Through evaluation of past and present Design and Technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.