A Venn Academy Trust School – Together we will… Venn is a pioneering academy trust, committed to building educational environments where all pupils are inspired to become lifelong learners who achieve the very highest standards possible. Collaborating with all partners, the Trust works with its unique settings to create world class learning experiences for all.

Subject – Design & Technology

The Design and Technology (D&T) curriculum at KS3 in the Venn Boulevard Centre is linked to the National Curriculum, with a focus on preparing students for the world they live in. The curriculum covers all aspects of D&T, with food technology being the most popular with our students and is often chosen as an option in KS4.

The D&T curriculum at KS3 in Venn Boulevard Centre is designed to provide students with a hands-on learning experience that is high in engagement. The curriculum covers all aspects of D&T, including product design, textiles, and food technology. The curriculum is linked to the National Curriculum, ensuring that students are learning the same key concepts and skills as their peers in mainstream schools but the content is adapted to meet their individual needs and abilities.

Product Design: In the product design aspect of the curriculum, students are taught how to design and make a range of products, from keyrings to clocks. They are taught about the design process, including sketching, modelling, and prototyping. Students also learn about materials and manufacturing processes, such as injection moulding and vacuum forming. The product design aspect of the curriculum helps students to develop problem-solving skills and to understand how to create products that are fit for purpose.

Textiles: In the textiles aspect of the curriculum, students are taught how to design and make a range of products, including bags and cushions. They learn about different fabrics and textiles, including natural and synthetic materials, and how to use a range of techniques, such as stitching, appliqué, and embroidery. The textiles aspect of the curriculum helps students to develop fine motor skills and to understand how to create products that are aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Food Technology: The food technology aspect of the curriculum is the most popular amongst students. Students learn about nutrition and healthy eating, as well as how to prepare and cook a range of dishes, from pasta to cakes. They learn about different cooking methods, such as boiling, grilling, and baking, and how to use a range of kitchen equipment, such as knives and mixers. The food technology aspect of the curriculum helps students to develop practical skills that they can use in their everyday lives.

The curriculum prepares students for the world they live in, providing them with practical skills and knowledge that they can use in their everyday lives.

Design and Technology at KS4

As students’ progress to KS4 they can choose Food Preparation and Nutrition as an option to study within Design and Technology to study. In the chosen area, the subject allows for deeper study of the world they live in, potential career opportunities and with the skills developed at KS3 the confidence to task risks, become resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.

Food preparation and nutrition equips learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating. This equips the learners for the real world around them and prepares them for independent living in the future.

Enrichment

We aim to enrich our curriculum by:

  • Establishing cross curricular links·
  • developing partnerships with external providers that extend children’s opportunities for learning through trips/visitors
  • Offer Design, Technology and Food and cookery as options for enrichment activities on Friday afternoons.
  • Themed days to experience the subject from other cultures.
  • STEM weeks

“Pupils are given chances to reflect upon this
through ‘life books’ where observations are made, and improvements praised.”

Ofsted

“The systems and structures that you have put in place ensure that pupils feel safe at school.”

Ofsted

“A time of ‘reflection’ at the end of the
day allows pupils to consider how they have performed at school and helps them to focus on their attitudes and behaviours. ”

Ofsted

“Pupils at your school feel safe.”

Ofsted

“Before coming to
school, you and other leaders work hard to understand the needs of individual
pupils.”

Ofsted

“The work of the
life coach can include one-to-one work in addition to positive thinking strategies,
mindfulness and aromatherapy.”

Ofsted

“Teachers and teaching assistants work hard to ensure that pupils are ‘nudged’ in the right direction in lessons.”

Ofsted

“Your school helps pupils to become
confident rounded young people.”

Ofsted

“The most striking aspect of your school is the way in which you plan to support pupils’ individual needs.”

Ofsted

“Pupils talked to us about the way in which you
and your staff celebrate difference and help to make everyone feel valued.”

Ofsted

“Pupils welcome new arrivals with understanding and compassion.”

Ofsted

“A time of ‘reflection’ at the end of the
day allows pupils to consider how they have performed at school and helps them to focus on their attitudes and behaviours. ”

Ofsted

“Once at school, the life coach works with
individuals to help them to deal with any anxieties that they may have.”

Ofsted

“Pupils told inspectors that they really value the way in which they feel respected at your school.”

Ofsted

“Within classrooms, teachers reward positive behaviours consistently.”

Ofsted

“Pupils make strides socially and emotionally.”

Ofsted

“Teachers consider
pupils’ emotional well-being deeply and give them space when they need to refocus.”

Ofsted

“In classrooms, pupils focus hard and respond well to any advice and guidance that is given to them.”

Ofsted

“An SEMH curriculum runs through the heart of your school.”

Ofsted

“All pupils benefit from targets to help them to develop their social and emotional skills and to build a level of resilience.”

Ofsted

“Pupils value the way in which you and your
staff make everyone feel included.”

Ofsted

“You seek to identify any triggers which cause pupils to behave erratically and you work towards eliminating these.”

Ofsted

“Inspectors saw first-hand the way in which your staff spoke to pupils with compassion and respect.”

Ofsted

“Teaching at your school is characterised by positive relationships between members of staff and pupils.”

Ofsted