Design and Technology describes a way of working in which pupils investigate a need or respond to an opportunity to make or modify something. They use their knowledge and understanding to devise solutions, realise their work and evaluate the end product and decisions taken during the process. In line with National Curriculum requirements recent work within Technology has seen a return to the acquisition of skills but retains pupils' enterprise, and ability to work as members of a team. As their experience grows, they will understand that technological development rarely ends since the evaluation of a product offers new opportunities for improvement. Pupils will be able to work to deadlines, acquire new skills and learn to reconcile conflicting requirements such as quality, speed and cost.

In the Lower School pupils work is assessed on their ability to Design and Make. Throughout the Lower School pupils work in a wide range of materials, including Resistant Materials (wood, metal, plastics) Textiles and Graphics. In addition pupils will have experience of Structures, Mechanisms and Control work so that by the end of Year 9 a thorough grounding in basic technological skills has been achieved. A common approach to the various aspects of the technological curriculum is being developed so that in whichever area pupils are working, staff expectations of vocabulary and approach will be the same.

Work is assessed at the end of each 'module' (that is a scheme of work related to a particular topic) and pupils are made aware of their levels of achievement before moving on to the next.

Reports to parents will reflect pupil achievement in all aspects studied in the current academic year.

At K.S.4. Technology is a compulsory subject but pupils are offered the opportunity to choose from a range of Design and Technology options, all of which lead to a single GCSE in Product Design.

These are:

Manufacturing Graphics
Manufacturing Resistant Materials
Manufacturing Systems & Control
Manufacturing Textiles

Technology College Status has had a profound effect on the delivery of Design Technology to Alcester High School pupils. The establishment of a dedicated Graphics Room with a fully networked compliment of computers has enhanced pupils' learning at G.C.S.E. level and gives ready access to all Design & Technology students in both Key Stages.

The installation of CAD/CAM equipment and flexible design software has enabled
all students to begin to appreciate the role of computer control in our industrial society.