Design & Technology

Resistant Materials / Textiles / Food Technology

At the Outwood academy Freeston Design Technology Department, you will have the opportunity to design and manufacture a range of products, in different materials, which solve a problem or a need.

You will participate in Design Technology lessons, which are categorised into three areas: resistant materials, food and textiles. You will follow the design process in all three areas, to design and manufacture several products, within a workshop environment. Technology lessons work on a carousel system so that you get a flavour of all disciplines

What we expect you to be once you arrive and are ready to learn at Outwood Academy Freeston Design Technology department:

  • Respectful of others.

  • A responsible citizen.

  • Resilient.

  • Self Sufficient.

  • Creative and a problem solver.

  • Safe and respectful of others.

What skills will the study of DT - Resistant Materials teach you?

You will learn to conduct yourself safely and responsibly in a workshop.

You will learn all the basic manufacturing skills such as:

  • Designing using a range of graphical communication skills.

  • Developing using CAD/CAM and the laser cutter.

  • Planning using working drawings and flow charts.

  • Marking out using a steel rule, try square and tape measure.

  • Cutting using a power saw such as a Henger, a tenon saw, a coping saw.

  • Shaping using the belt sander and the pillar drill.

  • Finishing using paints, stains, and varnish.

  • Testing and evaluating user questionnaire and client feedback.

What will you study in textiles at Outwood Academy Freeston

During your first year of DT Textiles your design contexts will be:

A juggling bag with juggling pyramids and a swing tag

What skills will the study of Design Technology Textiles teach you?

  • Responding to a design brief.

  • Use of basic and complex tools and equipment (thread, needles, fabric scissors, sewing machines, iron).

  • Dying processes (disperse dyes, tie-dye).

  • Embellishment methods (embroidery, applique, stitching methods, sequins and buttons).

  • Manufacturing your products.


What will you study in DT Resistant Materials at Outwood Academy Freeston?

During your first year of DT Resistant Materials your design contexts will be: Coin Collectors and Mechanical Toys

What could I eventually achieve in Design Technology?

A dog kennel perhaps? A table? A Bird house?

You will develop your practical skills by using a wide range of materials and workshop tools and equipment like the ones shown below:

What will you study in DT Food at Outwood Academy Freeston

During your food technology lessons the main focus is on cooking and nutrition and giving you the opportunity to develop the practical skills and know-how to prepare and make a wide range of high quality foods. Sweet and savoury dishes will be prepared and made. You will also look at the science side of food technology and health and safety will always be paramount. You will learn how to safely prepare food and how to use various pieces of equipment.

Possible dishes you could create include:

  • Fruit salad

  • Flapjacks

  • Muffins

  • Pasta salad

  • Cheesecake

  • Soup

What skills will the study of DT Food teach you?

  • Explore your senses. If it smells good, looks appealing and is easy to eat, you may just be willing to try it! Seeing you enjoy the process of cooking healthy meals can help to see cooking as fun and not a chore.

  • Expand your palate. If you are a picky eater, being in the kitchen to help cook can help open you up to new foods and flavours.

  • Working in the kitchen provides you with opportunities to gain a sense of accomplishment. Even if the end result is not exactly what you expected!!

  • Making healthy choices. Planning a menu and grocery list is an opportunity to explain smart food choices.

  • Responsibility. From following a recipe and learning how to safely handle kitchen equipment to cleaning up spills and putting things away, helping in the kitchen provides ample opportunities for you to learn responsibility.

  • Sharing good conversation. Share with your family stories and recipes. Or ask thought-provoking questions about food choices, school, friends and other activities. Developing these conversations while preparing dinner teaches your how to carry on a thoughtful conversation and can enhance your relationship.

  • Maths, science and language skills. Basic maths skills (“How many eggs do we need?”) and sequencing skills (“What is first … next … last?”) give way to fractions (“Is this ¾ of a cup?”) as you gain confidence in the kitchen. Reading recipes helps improve reading comprehension, and you can demonstrate basic science principles with something as simple as salt sprinkled on an ice cube