Design & Technology

The Design & Technology Product Design specialism at EBS is one of the best in the country, built on the passion and expertise of our experienced staff and the success of our students. Our facilities are second to none, with four fully equipped workshops, including one dedicated to A-Level study. Staff bring a wide range of expertise to lessons, from filmmaking and photography to precision engineering, making and CAD design.

Product Design at EBS supports students in developing as engineers, designers, architects, product developers, technicians and problem solvers, while also building valuable life skills. Our curriculum provides a breadth of practical and technical skills alongside knowledge and creativity.

At Key Stage 3, students work with a wide range of tools, machinery and equipment across materials including wood, metal, plastic, textiles and electronics. This experience helps them make informed choices at GCSE. Students continue developing practical skills and knowledge at GCSE and A-Level, with increasing opportunities for specialisation.

Links to STEM are embedded throughout the curriculum, with students developing skills in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacture), giving them an advantage when selecting future degrees, higher education courses and careers.

Our reputation as a centre of excellence in Design & Technology has been built by past and present staff and students who maintain strong links with industry, exam boards and universities including Middlesex University and Goldsmiths, University of London. In addition, our Designer in Residence supports students in achieving success in large projects and national competitions.

We regard Food and Nutrition as an integral part of developing students’ knowledge and skills so that they are able to lead healthy lives. The subject also builds confidence and independence, enabling students to prepare simple, nutritious and delicious food that is often more economical than ready-prepared alternatives.

Students develop their understanding of nutrition, healthy eating, food preparation, cooking techniques and sensory characteristics. At EBS, we aim to instil a love of cooking by giving students opportunities to prepare a wide range of culturally diverse dishes, explore new and challenging techniques, and creatively adapt the recipes they make.

Through studying Food and Nutrition, students will:

• develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and participate successfully in an increasingly health-conscious world;
• build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills to design and prepare high-quality dishes for a range of users;
• understand and apply the principles of nutrition to their cooking and everyday food choices;
• demonstrate safe and hygienic cooking practices when planning, preparing and cooking using a variety of techniques and equipment;
• understand the environmental, social and moral impact of food on local and global communities.

Textiles lies at the heart of everyday life, and we are passionate about teaching students its importance and functionality while inspiring them to explore its endless creative possibilities. Students develop knowledge and understanding of fibres, fabrics and their properties, as well as decorative and construction techniques.

We encourage students to experiment creatively and develop unique and individual products that reflect their own design ideas. Students are introduced to a wide range of equipment, providing exciting opportunities to create while also gaining insight into technologies used in industry.

Through studying Textiles Technology, students will:

• develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks;
• build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills to design and make high-quality textile products for a range of users;
• critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products, as well as the work of others;
• understand the environmental, social and moral impact of textiles on local and global communities;
• confidently and safely use a range of specialist textile equipment to bring their designs to life.