Design and Technology
Curriculum Intent
DT-curriculum-intent-26-27.pdf
Curriculum Maps
Textiles-Curriculum-mapping-Fashion-Textiles-2026-27.pdf
Curriculum Journey
Year's 7-and-8-learning-journey-2026.pdf
Year 9-TEXTILES-LEARNING-JOURNEY-2026.pdf
Introduction / Overview
Design and Technology at Goffs academy is a dynamic, exciting and enjoyable subject that nurtures innovative thinking and challenges Pupils’ understanding of the designed and made world.
The department firmly believes that students learn best by ‘doing’ and has carefully planned a curriculum that allows students to work with different materials areas so that they can develop a greater appreciation for traditional practices whilst embracing new technologies.
At the heart of our curriculum is a desire to teach creative thinking and provide opportunities for students to become better problem solvers. We hope students will become more insightful consumers and environmentally conscious citizens by making sure they learn about the wider issues associated with designing and manufacturing products.
The department offers a range of KS4 & 5 subjects such as; AQA D&T Product design & AQA Art and design; 3D, Textiles and Art, craft and design.
The department has three well equipped workshops and a dedicated CAD/CAM suite. Throughout Years 7 and 8, students study a range of creative subjects on a carousel programme, giving them the opportunity to develop skills across a variety of disciplines. This broad foundation allows students to explore different areas of the creative arts before selecting their preferred specialism to study in greater depth in Year 9.
The department offers a wealth of opportunities to study key aspects of Design and Technology outside the classroom. We currently offer an KS3 and KS4 textiles/ product design club.
We also host regular workshops with practising artists and designers such as; Julia Wright, Nikki Parmenter and Jessica Grady.
The department regularly takes students into London and the local area to visit museums and architectural spaces such as; the Serpentine Gallery, Design museum and the V&A.
Product Desigin
Textiles
The Fashion & Textiles department is well equipped with a range of sewing machines, printing presses and dye sublimation printers.
Textiles students are positively encouraged to spend some of their study time in the department.
Key Stage 3
Students in Years 7 to 9 are introduced to a wide range of exciting and creative textiles techniques, including hand and machine embroidery, various printing methods, fabric dyeing, and more.
In Years 7 and 8, students follow a carousel system, rotating once per term. During their textiles rotation, they respond to open-ended design briefs, encouraging them to explore their creativity and produce original, personalised outcomes.
In Year 9, students have three lessons per fortnight. They begin to develop more advanced skills by analysing the work of established textile artists and responding through experimentation with different materials and processes. In the summer term, students are introduced to digital design using Photoshop, where they learn to transform their own ideas into repeat pattern designs.
Key Stage 4
GCSE- AQA Art textiles (5 lessons per fortnight)
Term 1 focuses on skill building and includes; print making, drawing, painting and fabric manipulation.
Term 2 through to January year 11
Throughout the year, students will choose from a brief and create a highly personalised and creative response presented within their personal sketchbooks.
Year 11
From 1st January, students will receive their official exam briefs set by AQA. They will select one theme to explore and develop a personal and creative response through a series of preparatory studies presented in either sketchbooks or on presentation boards. This work will lead to a final 10-hour practical exam, during which students will produce a resolved textile outcome that reflects their development and chosen direction.
Key stage 5- AQA A level Art textiles and Art, craft and design
From September to January, students will complete an intensive skills-based project designed to strengthen their technical ability and creative confidence. They will choose a colour as a starting point and will build a series of samples based on a variety of creative disciplines. This project focuses on experimentation, material exploration, and building a strong foundation for future personal investigation work.
From January to February, students will begin their Personal Investigation, selecting a starting point that reflects a genuine personal interest. This independent project is guided by original and authentic research, encouraging students to develop a meaningful and individual response.
Students will produce a sustained body of work within their sketchbooks, exploring ideas through artist research, experimentation, and technique refinement. In addition, they will create 3 to 5 developed outcomes outside of their sketchbooks, demonstrating their creative journey and understanding of materials, processes, and concepts.
As part of this unit, students are also required to submit a written investigation (1,000–3,000 words) which supports and reflects upon their practical work. This project provides the foundation and direction for the Externally Set Task, which is released by AQA in February and culminates in a final 15-hour practical exam.
From 1st February, students will receive their official exam briefs set by AQA. They will select one theme to explore and develop a personal and creative response through a series of preparatory studies presented in either sketchbooks or on presentation boards. This work will lead to a final 15-hour practical exam, during which students will produce a resolved creative outcome that reflects their development and chosen direction.
Students will produce a sustained body of work within their sketchbooks, exploring ideas through artist research, experimentation, and technique refinement. In addition, they will create 3 to 5 developed outcomes outside of their sketchbooks, demonstrating their creative journey and understanding of materials, processes, and concepts.
As part of this unit, students are also required to submit a written investigation (1,000–3,000 words) which supports and reflects upon their practical work. This project provides the foundation and direction for the Externally Set Task, which is released by AQA in February and culminates in a final 15-hour practical exam.
From 1st February, students will receive their official exam briefs set by AQA. They will select one theme to explore and develop a personal and creative response through a series of preparatory studies presented in either sketchbooks or on presentation boards. This work will lead to a final 15-hour practical exam, during which students will produce a resolved textile outcome that reflects their development and chosen direction.
A-level-Handbook-2026-27-Art-craft-and-design.pdf
