“Design is intelligence made visible.”

Alina Wheeler

Our curriculum vision

At Harlington, our Design and Technology education is designed to inspire students to be creative, explore ideas, and develop practical solutions to real-world challenges. Our goal is for students to become proficient in designing, making, and evaluating using a diverse range of tools, materials, and techniques.

The curriculum introduces students to new and emerging technologies, energy generation and storage, and innovative developments in materials. We encourage students to think about sustainability, ethical design, and the impact of technological advancements on society. By using a systems approach to design, students develop logical thinking, while hands-on experience with mechanical devices and an understanding of material properties help them make informed, functional, and creative design decisions.

We aim to foster critical analysis and evaluation skills in our students, empowering them to confidently discuss products using the language of design and technology. As they explore the work of designers, engineers, and inventors from various cultures and eras, they develop an appreciation for the historical and social context of design. Through observation, research, and inspiration from the world around them, students build the foundation for their own innovative outcomes.

Through designing, modelling, and making, students gain valuable skills and the confidence to take risks, solve problems, and shape the world around them with their designs.

Year 9

The Year 9 Design and Technology course is the final year of Key Stage 3, building upon prior knowledge and providing a well-rounded foundation in design and making. Students keep a design portfolio to document their research, experimentation, and development, applying various materials, tools, and techniques to solve design problems. Regular homework supports independent research and technical understanding.

In this course, students engage in hands-on analysis of products and systems, exploring materials and processes through modelling and prototyping. They generate and refine purposeful design ideas, drawing inspiration from existing designers and innovations. The curriculum covers biomimicry and emerging design solutions, encouraging iterative development toward a functional final outcome.

Key curriculum themes include new and emerging technologies, energy generation and storage, advances in materials, systems thinking, mechanical devices, and material properties. This knowledge equips students with the skills to make well-informed and thoughtful design decisions.

Years 10 and 11

GCSE Design and Technology is an engaging and practical course that nurtures students’ creativity and problem-solving skills. By exploring how ideas, functionality, and user needs influence designs, students learn to connect their work with real-world contexts and the people who will use the products they create. At this level, students evolve into both innovative designers and thoughtful evaluators, blending creativity with critical thinking.

Building on the skills and techniques developed in Key Stage 3, students work on a portfolio over two years, documenting their journey from initial research and concept development to final prototypes. This course provides a solid foundation for those interested in advancing to A-level Design and Technology or pursuing careers in fields such as engineering, product design, and innovation.

How to find out more

“Textiles are a powerful means of communication. They carry stories, histories, and identities in every thread.”

— Alice Kettle

Our curriculum vision

At Harlington, our aim in Textiles education is to foster a love of creativity, self-expression, and practical making. We encourage students to explore their ideas, record their experiences, and develop confidence in expressing themselves through fabric, pattern, and surface design.

Students become increasingly proficient in a range of textile techniques such as embroidery, appliqué, printmaking, fabric manipulation, and stitch-based construction. They learn to evaluate and analyse creative textile works using the language of art and design, while also studying influential textile artists, designers, and craft makers. Through this, they begin to understand the development of textile
practices across time and how these have influenced contemporary approaches.

By using their own experiences and the work of others as inspiration, students create original textile outcomes that reflect both skill and imagination. Through this journey, they grow not only as textile artists but also as thoughtful, reflective individuals with a deep appreciation for the creative potential of textiles

Year 9

The students will be on a rotation between textiles, food technology, and Design technology. The Year 9 Textiles course at Harlington provides students with an engaging and practical foundation in textile design and construction. It builds on skills introduced in earlier years, allowing students to explore fabric, surface design, and sewing techniques in greater depth as they prepare for further study in BTEC Art & Design (Textiles).

Students work in sketchbooks to plan, research, and document their creative processes. They experiment with a wide range of textile techniques, including hand stitching, machine sewing, fabric manipulation, appliqué, and other decorative methods. The course supports creativity, technical skill-building, and independent learning.

Students will:

• Work from imaginative starting points to create original textile ideas
• Learn and apply a variety of hand and machine sewing techniques
• Use a range of fabrics, threads, and embellishments to explore different outcomes
• Produce and present purposeful textile samples and final pieces with care and precision
• Study the work of textile artists and designers to inspire and inform their own practice
• Modify, refine, and develop their ideas through hands-on experimentation
• Complete a final outcome that demonstrates both creative thinking and practical skills

By the end of Year 9, students will have a strong foundation in textile techniques and design, helping them transition smoothly into the BTEC Art & Design (Textiles) pathway in Key Stage 4.

*Year 9 curriculum map PDF *

Years 10 and 11

BTEC Level 1 and Level 2 Art & Design Textiles is a practical and creative course that develops students’ skills and understanding in textile design, with a strong emphasis on embellishment techniques. Students explore how textiles can express ideas, emotions, and personal experiences through the use of decorative methods such as embroidery, appliqué, beading, fabric painting, and other surface techniques.

Students take on the roles of both makers and evaluators, learning to balance hands-on embellishment skills with thoughtful analysis of their creative choices. They develop proficiency in various hand and machine techniques to enhance and personalise their textile projects.
Building on skills from Key Stage 3, students complete a range of projects and assignments that document their research, experimentation, and development of embellished textile outcomes. Their portfolios showcase their technical growth, creativity, and confidence in using embellishments as a key element of textile design.

This Level 1 and Level 2 course prepares students for further study in BTEC Level 3 Art & Design Textiles or related creative pathways and provides a strong foundation for careers in fashion, textiles, and the creative industries.

How to find out more

“Recipes are just stories of chemistry, told through flavour.”

– Unknown

Our curriculum vision Our Curriculum Vision – Food Preparation and Nutrition at Harlington

At Harlington, our Food curriculum aims to inspire a lifelong enjoyment of cooking and nutrition. Students will develop practical skills in food preparation while gaining a deep understanding of food science, nutrition, food safety, and provenance. They will become proficient in using a wide range of cooking techniques, equipment, and methods to prepare healthy, safe, and nutritious meals.

We want students to confidently analyse and evaluate dishes based on taste, texture, nutritional value, and presentation, using the technical language of food and nutrition. They will study the work of influential chefs and food cultures to appreciate how food choices are shaped by factors such as tradition, religion, lifestyle, and environmental sustainability.

Through hands-on learning and experimentation, students explore the science behind cooking processes, understand how ingredients work, and develop the ability to adapt and design recipes creatively. They will use their knowledge of nutrition and food science as a foundation for making informed food choices and developing dishes that reflect both personal and global influences

Year 9

Year 9 is the final year of Key Stage 3 Food at Harlington. Our exciting and varied course builds on prior knowledge and practical skills, preparing students for GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition and encouraging a love of cooking and healthy living.

Students develop confidence in a range of cooking techniques, explore the science behind food, and gain an understanding of nutrition, quality assurance, safety, and hygiene. They keep a workbook to reflect on their learning, and evaluate recipes made.

Inspired by natural ingredients and seasonal produce, students:
• prepare dishes using a range of ingredients and techniques.
• Explore nutrition and the science behind food preparation.
• Understand where food comes from and consider its environmental impact.
• Create an improved final dish that reflects their skills, creativity, and understanding of the core principles.

*Year 9 curriculum map PDF *

Years 10 and 11 – GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition at Harlington

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition is an exciting course that helps students develop essential life skills in cooking, nutrition, and food science. Students build on their Key Stage 3 experience by exploring how ingredients, processes, and techniques contribute to the
creation of healthy, safe, and appealing food.

This course develops students’ understanding of nutrition, sustainability, and food choice, while building the practical skills needed to prepare high-quality dishes. Through a mix of practical work, investigations, and theory, students explore:
• How to plan balanced meals for different needs
• The science behind how ingredients behave
• Where food comes from and its environmental impact
• Safe food handling, hygiene, and storage
• Food processing and manufacturing

Over two years, students complete a portfolio including a food investigation and a final practical exam where they plan, cook, and present a range of dishes. This course is ideal preparation for further study or careers in food, nutrition, health, or hospitality

How to find out more

Be ambitious: Engage with the Super Curriculum