The Technology Department

Tarporley Design and Technology builds on the skills and knowledge children have already learnt at primary school and at home. It uses increasingly sophisticated resources, including dedicated teaching environments, manufacturing equipment and specialist teaching to enrich the lives and experiences of all pupils regardless of their abilities and skills. We will take you on an exciting curriculum journey where life skills can be absorbed and personal satisfaction is a regular experience.

 

As student’s progress through the phases, they will be given the opportunity to focus on specific aspects of the subject such as product design, food technology, systems and control, electronics, textiles and graphics. However, at our core, is creativity and imagination. Students learn to design and make products that solve genuine, relevant problems within different contexts whilst considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

 

D&T is also the home of STEM and the many visits, activities and projects it provides. We actively encourage them to transfer skills from their other subjects and use a broad range of subject knowledge drawn from additional disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing and art. STEM gives our pupils the prospect of working with young people from other schools, environments and cultures. Design and technology is a practical and valuable subject. It enables children and young people to actively contribute to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of themselves, their community and their nation. It teaches us how to take risks and so become more resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable.

 

Students are encouraged to develop a critical understanding of the impact of design and technology on daily life and the wider world. Additionally, it provides excellent opportunities for students to develop and apply value judgements of an aesthetic, economic, moral, social, and technical nature both in their own designing and when evaluating the work of others.  We are proud to say that many of our pupils eventually use their skills in their occupations as Architects, Engineers, Designers, Chefs and tradespeople of all kinds.  We actively encourage our pupils to explore related career options and regularly audit our skills program to provided them with genuine life skills for beyond school.

 

Be aware that

  • Beyond the curriculum we provide a range of activities which include Table Top Gaming and Design club, Young Engineers and Junior Masterchef. 
  • We organise trips to the Design Museum, the LIDA fashion show and the The National Warhammer Championships to name a few. 
  • We also open source our 3D printers and laser cutter for pupils to use them to manufacture remotely, producing resources for hobbies, enterprise projects and restoration projects as well as design for maintenance activities. 
  • We also support Drama, Dance and Music with the school production, taking in hand lighting, sound, props and scenery.

 

Whatever you do in Design and Technology at Tarporley High School we encourage hard work and focus.  As James Dyson has said

“You are just as likely to solve a problem by being unconventional and determined as by being brilliant..”

 

We know everybody can be brilliant given the opportunity.  We believe that Design and Technology is the best lesson of your week.

School Life...