This week’s blog has been written by Mr Norman, Head of DT at Bethany School. He talks of how DT serves as an important stepping stone for pupils, whether they are pursuing University, an Apprenticeship, or preparing to enter the workforce, emphasising key skills such as risk-taking, innovation, and creativity, while also helping pupils develop resilience and persistence.

I wanted to share with you what I set the Lower Sixth (Year 12) to do when they start their two year A Level course. GCSE is just a taster of what is to come when a pupil sensibly (in my opinion!) decides to take on Design and Technology as one of their stepping stones to either University, an Apprenticeship or to enter the world of work.

I set a project with a focus on risk-taking, innovation and creativity. Many mishaps happen when pupils push their own boundaries. They often have to start again be it with design work or practical work when their ideas don’t work out. I like to encourage the development of persistence and reflection in the subject and this project most certainly tests these as well as the pupils resilience to keep pushing themselves forward when things around them are just not going to plan.

The ‘brief’ I set pupils is quite simple: ‘Design and produce a set of placemats / coasters (min of 2) plus a holder.’

Pupils are asked to first of all investigate existing products. Decide on a context for themselves, carry out lots of research, investigate practical possibilities and produce concept ideas. All of this should happen within an ethos of experimentation and exploration and with the knowledge that most of what the pupil do may not go to plan, but I encourage the group to reflect on the phrase ‘Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.’

Pupils are given four lessons a week for the half term project and have to plan and direct their own time. This is quite a test of character and determination as valuable time can be lost by individuals through inactivity but the project also allows pupils to learn about themselves and how they work best (or not!). I often use a quote that I heard in a Spider-Man movie that states “With great power comes great responsibility”. The pupils have the power to work hard or waste time. Luckily this year all have decided to push themselves!

I hope you enjoy these pictures of some of the interesting practical pieces produced by my current Lower Sixth (David A, Toby A, Josh Hs, Samuel K, Emma K, Asma S and George V). I love seeing pupils push their own design and creative boundaries. This all leads to fantastic ‘problem solvers’ in later life, which has to be a good thing in our complicated and ever changing world.

Mr Norman

Head of Design & Technology