Technology Department

The Technology Department is made up of three dynamic practical areas linked by a core of designing and making activities. Each of these areas, Design Technology, Textiles Technology and Food Technology, offers stimulating projects designed to promote independence of thought, problem solving and relevant practical skills.

The Department has three well-equipped and comfortable areas, which allow for a good range of activities from traditional skills and techniques to computer generated designs and manufactured outcomes. All pupils achieve very high levels of success, regularly taking home a large and varied range of projects and products that are hallmarked with their own mix of individuality, skills and efforts.

Teaching is very supportive in nature. We appreciate that not all pupils entering the school have a background of Technology subjects, so we introduce them to the skills and processes involved in an enjoyable and structured way.

A selection of the pupils’ work is detailed in the Gallery, outlining the quality and variety of the work undertaken at Key Stage 3 and during examination courses.

Level 3 - Design Technology

"All that is bought, used and enjoyed, is conceived, designed and made!"

This aspect of technology is essentially about designing and making products in wood metal and plastics or a combination of any resistant materials. Electronic circuits are also incorporated into the work. Younger pupils are introduced to the subject by participating in a range of novel and challenging projects that are designed to be technologically relevant to them, enjoyable to make and that allow pupils to achieve outcomes that they are genuinely pleased with. At Sidcot we pride ourselves on the complexity of the work that the younger pupils create and on the level of understanding they acquire.

Pupils may opt for GCSE Resistant Materials and progress on to A Level Product Design. Outcomes of project work in these areas highlight unique creativity, quality manufacturing and incorporate professional design practices including computer aided design and manufacture.

Level 3 Textiles

"Fabrics are bringing the worlds of art, design, engineering and science ever closer."

The study of Textiles Technology at Key Stages 3 and 4 is based on designing and making products using fabrics and threads and other related materials. Pupils are involved in designing a wide range of exciting products. They learn many skills and achieve high standards of finish in the quality of items made. 

At A Level students take an Art-based Textiles course, producing highly creative Fashion or Textiles items. Students regularly continue their studies of Textiles in Higher Education.

Key Stage 3 Food

"Tell me and I forget, show me and I may remember, let me do it and I learn.  Learning through making works!"

In Food the emphasis is very much on the practical elements, enabling pupils to gain experience and confidence in their culinary skills.

During Year 7 pupils gain an understanding of food preparation skills, with the main focus being on key skills such as chopping, slicing, peeling, grating, mixing, using the oven, hob and grill. We cover food safety and this forms a good grounding for the work covered during Year 8.

In Year 8 the focus is on nutrition and health, continuing to build on pupils practical skills, enabling pupils to develop their independence and learning by doing.

During Year 9 the focus on practical skills continues to be of importance with cooking in the majority of lessons. This enables those pupils who wish to continue to GCSE to have a good grounding of skills, and those who do not will have lifelong skills to build on as they continue through the school.

GCSE Catering in Years 10 and 11.

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