Design and Technology

Course summary

Design Technology is the creative real world STEM subject, making sense of the theories of all the others. It is the inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which prepares you to live and work in the future. You’ll have a lot of fun, at the same time express yourself and explore the latest technology and thus be one step ahead of others into the real world of work. Design is a way of thinking, converting ideas to products and services. Everything around us has been designed, the cars, the spaces, user interfaces of our latest digital app, the TV programmes we watch. All designed, are made. We explore ideas, logically, developing everyday skills and experimenting to create real things. Design Technology develops our appreciation of the built environment as well as of nature. It is hands-on. At A-Level you get to design what you want to design; there are no wrong answers; if it can help then it is good. Taking risks, not being afraid of getting things wrong is a vital part of problem-solving. Create a better future by asking: “why not?” The skills you will develop are very useful whether you hope to follow a related career or not. Employers appreciate your advanced experience in problem-solving, analysis, risk management, presentation and promoting (etc). Last year the engineering, manufacturing and creative sectors were worth £500b. For young people and their parents thinking about future careers, they need to be aware that the Creative industry grew three times more than wider UK economy. Five of the top eleven best-paid graduate jobs are engineering based. The UK needs to increase it’s STEM graduates by 50%. 1.8M new engineers are needed over the next ten years. Graduates will be in big demand, giving them a myriad of choice. 1M creative jobs need to be filled by 2030; there are great job opportunities, in a rewarding environment.