In Year 7, students begin their Design and Technology journey by developing core practical skills and an understanding of the design process. Through projects such as the Picture Frame and Trinket Box, students learn to work with manufactured boards and timbers while gaining experience of workshop safety and the principles of designing and making. Students also explore CAD/CAM technologies and develop an understanding of how modern manufacturing techniques influence product design. Textile projects, including a keyring design, introduce students to the properties of fabrics and the environmental impact of materials, while investigations into sustainability encourage them to consider the social and environmental consequences of design decisions. Through multi-material projects and mechanisms, students begin to appreciate the relationship between form and function.

In Year 8, students build upon these foundations by exploring a wider range of materials, technologies and cultural influences. Through projects such as the Clock and Cultural Cushion, students investigate design history, design movements and the impact that products have had on society over time. They learn practical textile skills, including hand and machine sewing, while examining the significance of cotton and global manufacturing. Students also develop their understanding of polymers, smart materials and electronic systems through the Torch project. Alongside these design projects, students are introduced to Food Preparation and Nutrition, where they begin developing practical food skills and knowledge of kitchen safety and hygiene.

Year 9 provides a bridge to GCSE study and enables students to apply their growing knowledge in increasingly sophisticated ways. The Teal Light and Upcycling Light projects require students to combine creativity with technical understanding, exploring metals, polymers, biomimicry and sustainable design. Students investigate how designers draw inspiration from the natural world and consider how products can be adapted or repurposed to reduce waste. Food Preparation and Nutrition becomes more advanced, with students studying food labelling, budgeting, food poisoning prevention, food science and the chemical processes involved in cooking. They also learn about the cultural significance of food and dietary requirements across different communities and traditions.

At Key Stage 4, students choose to specialise in either OCR Food Preparation and Nutrition or OCR Design and Technology. Food Preparation and Nutrition students develop a thorough understanding of food science, nutrition, food safety and sensory properties. They investigate the functions of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, explore the role of bacteria, moulds and yeast, and develop advanced practical cookery skills. Throughout Years 10 and 11, students complete both non-examined assessments, demonstrating their ability to research, plan, prepare and evaluate food products while applying scientific principles to practical tasks.

Students following the Design and Technology pathway develop specialist knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes and product development. They study papers and boards, timbers, metals, polymers, fibres and fabrics, alongside engineering principles and design communication techniques. In Year 11, students undertake an extensive non-examined assessment, progressing through research, idea generation, development, communication, making and evaluation. This allows them to apply the full design process independently and produce innovative solutions to authentic design challenges.

By the end of their curriculum journey, students have developed technical expertise, creativity, resilience and problem-solving skills. They leave equipped to make informed decisions about design, technology, food and sustainability while understanding the important role these disciplines play in shaping the modern world.

Students benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities that complement and extend classroom learning. At Key Stage 3, students can participate in design competitions, sewing club and cooking club, providing opportunities to develop practical skills and creativity beyond the curriculum. Cross-curricular links with Physics help students understand how scientific principles inform product design and engineering. At Key Stage 4, students receive targeted support for their Non-Examined Assessment projects and can engage with visiting chefs, cookery competitions and educational trips. These experiences provide valuable insight into careers such as product design, engineering, architecture, food science, nutrition, hospitality and manufacturing, helping students make informed decisions about their future pathways.

OCR GCSE Design & Technology A (OCR J310)

OCR GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition (OCR J309)

Years 7–8

• The Design Museum: Fifty Bags That Changed the World – Design Museum
• Made by Hand – Mark Frauenfelder
• How Things Work – DK
• Cookbook for Children – DK

Year 9

• Biomimicry: Inventions Inspired by Nature – Dora Lee
• The Story of Inventions – Catherine Barr
• Eat This Book – Josie Wakefield
• Food: A Very Short Introduction – John Krebs

Years 10–11 Design and Technology

• The Design of Everyday Things – Don Norman
• Material World – Ed Conway
• 100 Ideas That Changed Design – Peter Fiell and Charlotte Fiell
• Designed: The Secret Lives of Things – Chris Lefteri

Years 10–11 Food Preparation and Nutrition

• On Food and Cooking – Harold McGee
• The Science of Cooking – Dr Stuart Farrimond
• Food Rules – Michael Pollan
• How Food Works – DK

Further Reading and Media

• Design Council publications
• BBC Good Food resources
• Royal Academy of Engineering careers resources
• Food Magazine
• National Geographic sustainability articles
• Museum of Design and Innovation online exhibitions

These resources encourage students to deepen their understanding of design, materials, nutrition and sustainability while developing the curiosity and creativity that underpin success in Design and Technology and Food Preparation and Nutrition.

1. Design Museum

• https://designmuseum.org
• Evaluate iconic product designs.

2. Autodesk Design Academy

• https://academy.autodesk.com
• Learn CAD and design thinking.

3. BBC Bitesize Engineering

• Research engineering case studies.

4. James Dyson Foundation

• https://www.jamesdysonfoundation.com
• Enter design competitions.

5. Engineering UK

• https://www.engineeringuk.com
• Investigate engineering careers.

6. Design Council

• https://www.designcouncil.org.uk
• Explore human-centred design principles.