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Technology
At LGGS we like to view Design & Technology as a gateway to innovation, creativity, and practical problem-solving. It empowers students to explore ideas, develop real-world solutions, and think critically about how products, systems, and food impact our lives and our future.
Across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, students gain hands on experience in areas such as product design, engineering, electronics, textiles, computer-aided design (CAD), and food preparation and nutrition. They learn to work with a range of materials and tools, develop technical skills, and build confidence through experimentation, iteration, and independent thinking.
Food Technology plays a vital role in helping students understand nutrition, sustainability, and the science behind cooking. It encourages creativity in the kitchen while promoting healthy living and environmental awareness, skills that are essential both personally and professionally.
Design & Technology opens doors to dynamic industries including architecture, manufacturing, robotics, fashion, hospitality, and food science. These sectors are vital to our global economy, and studying D&T equips students with the knowledge, imagination, and adaptability to thrive within them.
In short, Design & Technology is a subject that inspires curiosity, encourages innovation, and rewards determination. It gives students the opportunity to design, build, cook, and succeed, making it a powerful and memorable part of their educational journey.
Key Stage 3
Course Overview
The KS3 Technology curriculum has been designed to give Students an appreciation of the world around them. It encourages them to appreciate the fact that everything we interact with has been designed. It encourages them to think critically about everyday objects, and to consider the impact these products may have on the environment. They will learn about a wide range of materials and gain skills in using these to design and make useful products. The Curriculum is split into three focus areas, Design & Technology, Engineering, and Food Preparation and Nutrition. They will spend one term in each of these in Years 7, 8 and 9 gradually building up their knowledge and experience each year. In Design & Technology they will learn strategies to help with designing creative products, and then go on to make these in the workshop, building their skills and confidence as they progress. In Engineering it is all about movement and control. They will learn about mechanisms, sensors and electronics and use this knowledge to build products that move and respond to their environment. In Food they will learn all about food hygiene and nutrition. They will gain an appreciation of where their food comes from and the impact it can have on the environment. They will also cover food science and investigate the functional and chemical properties of the ingredients they use. All this will be taught alongside a wide range of food practical lessons that increase in demand as they progress through KS3.
What can I do to support my child?
Encourage your child to think about the world around them. If the opportunity arises get them involved in activities that need them to use their hands such as DIY, taking things apart or assembling flat pack furniture.
Get them cooking! Encourage them to cook for the family. This helps them progress far quicker than food practicals alone, and you will be impressed what they are capable of.
How will students be assessed?
Students will complete two assessments in each Technology rotation, so they will complete six a year. These could assess their design work, their practical outcome, or use a test to check their knowledge of the theory work.
Key Stage 4 (GCSE)
Food Preparation & Nutrition
Exam Board and details
Exam Board: AQA GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition (8585)
Course Overview
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition is an exciting and creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food ingredients. At its’ heart, this qualification focuses on nurturing students’ practical cookery skills to give them a strong understanding of nutrition.
The course is split into five sections;
· Food nutrition and health
· Food Science
· Food Safety
· Food Choice
· Food Provenance
Students receive an end of unit test after completing each section.
How will students be assessed?
Assessment is split between a written exam and NEA coursework. Both will contribute 50% towards the final GCSE.
Written Exam
· Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
· 100 marks
· 50% of GCSE
NEA Coursework
· Two separate NEAs
· 100 marks in total
· 50% of GCSE
Task 1: Food investigation (30 marks)
Students will investigate the working characteristics, functional and chemical properties of ingredients through a context set by the exam board. They will conduct experiments to gain an understanding how ingredients work and how they affect the outcome of the food products they are used in.
Task 2: Food preparation assessment (70 marks)
Students' knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to the planning, preparation, cooking, and presentation of food and application of nutrition related to the chosen task.
Students will prepare, cook and present a final menu of three dishes within a single period of no more than three hours, planning in advance how this will be achieved.
Design & Technology
Exam Board and details
Exam Board: AQA GCSE Design & Technology (8552)
Course Overview
GCSE Design and Technology will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise.
Our GCSE allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. They will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.
How will students be assessed?
Assessment is split between a written exam and NEA coursework. Both will contribute 50% towards the final GCSE.
Written Exam
· Written exam: 2 Hours
· 100 marks
· 50% of GCSE
NEA Coursework
· 100 marks in total
· 50% of GCSE
Assessments throughout KS4 are theory based module tests, practical scores and internal exams to help prepare students for the GCSE Exam at the end of Year 11.
The GCSE grade is made up of 50% Exam and 50% NEA (Non Exam Assessment). The NEA consists of a major Design and Make task to be completed throughout Year 11.
Engineering
Exam Board and details
Exam Board: AQA GCSE Engineering (8852)
Course Overview
Engineering is an increasingly innovative and exciting area to work in. It affects every aspect of modern life. The GCSE introduces students to a host of new technologies, helping them to gain practical skills and understanding to inspire a lifelong interest in engineering.
The subject content is split into six sections. Engineering materials Engineering manufacturing processes Systems Testing and investigation The impact of modern technologies Practical engineering skills
How will students be assessed?
Assessment is split between a written exam and NEA coursework. The exam will contribute 60% towards the final GCSE, and the NEA will contribute 40%
Written Exam
· Written exam: 2 Hours
· 120 marks
· 60% of GCSE
NEA Coursework
· 80 marks in total
· 40% of GCSE
Assessments throughout KS4 are theory based module tests, practical scores and internal exams to help prepare students for the GCSE Exam at the end of Year 11.
The NEA consists of a major Design and Make task to be completed throughout Year 11.
Key Stage 5 (A Level)
Exam Board and details
Exam Board: AQA A-Level Product Design (7552)
Course Overview
This is a creative and thought-provoking course that will equip students with the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a wide variety of careers. Especially those in the creative industries.
They will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning in to practice by producing prototypes of their choice.
Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers.
The course content is split into two sections:
- Technical Principles
- Designing and Making Principles
How will students be assessed?
Assessment is split between two written exams and an NEA coursework. The exams will contribute a combined 50% towards the final qualification, and the NEA will contribute the other 50%
Assessment
· Written exam: Technical Principles
2 Hours 30 minutes
120 marks
30% of A-Level
· Written Exam: Designing & Making Principles
1 Hour 30 Minutes
80 marks
20% of A-Level
· NEA Coursework
100 marks in total
50% of GCSE
Assessments throughout KS5 are theory based module tests, practical scores and internal exams to help prepare students for the A-Level Exam at the end of Year 13.
The NEA consists of a major Design and Make task to be completed throughout Year 13.