Design & Technology/Food & Textiles

Design & Technology; Resistant Materials, Food and Textiles - Curriculum Statement of Intent 

At Caterham High School we believe that all students deserve a rigorous, relevant, and forward-looking Design & Technology curriculum that prepares them to participate confidently and responsibly in the world they live in. 

Design & Technology equips young people with the practical skills, technical knowledge, and creative confidence needed to engage positively with the designed and made world. Students learn how products and systems are designed, manufactured, and evaluated, enabling them to become innovative problem‑solvers who can respond to real-world needs. Through purposeful making, students learn to use a wide range of materials and processes, developing fluency in both traditional craftsmanship and modern digital technologies. 

Food preparation and nutrition form a vital part of Design & Technology, empowering students with the life skills essential for independence and wellbeing. Learners develop a secure understanding of food science, nutrition, and healthy eating, allowing them to make informed, responsible choices that support long‑term health. 

At the heart of Design & Technology is creativity, imagination, and critical thinking. The subject naturally integrates and applies learning from mathematics, science, engineering, computing, geography, business studies, and art, helping students see how knowledge connects beyond the classroom. High-quality literacy is embedded through analysis, evaluation, and justification of design decisions, while mathematics is applied through accurate measuring, scaling, calculating materials and ingredients, interpreting data, and reading technical drawings. 

Together, these experiences prepare students not only for further study and employment, but to be thoughtful designers, makers, and consumers who can improve the world around them. 

At Key Stage 4, you can read about the courses on offer in our Options Booklet

2026-YEAR-9-OPTIONS-BOOKLET.pdf

At Key Stage 5, you can read about the courses on offer in our Sixth Form Prospectus

For more detailed information about the Design & Technology curriculum, please email the subject leader Mr D Earl at d.earl@ecaterham.net

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