Our key aim within the Art, Design and Technology Department is to help to prepare students to become productive and caring adults.  Within this context, we offer a wide-ranging curriculum focused on enquiry-based, hands-on learning.  We offer a challenging course of study with high standards where students become responsible learners who cannot only work collaboratively, but also be accountable for their own educational progress and success.

Departmental activities are designed to help our students develop the capacity to formulate and communicate ideas and feelings; they enhance perceptual skills through responding, developing and evaluating, and physical skills through the control and manipulation of tools, materials and machinery.  We feel that involvement in Art, Design and Technology help to foster a positive attitude amongst our students by developing a wide range of qualities such as co-operation, enthusiasm, passion, inspiration, tenacity and ambition.

Through the collaboration of school, home and community we hope to play our part in preparing students for the demands of the 21^st century, ensuring that they are ready and able to progress into employment, further training or higher education according to their individual aptitudes and ambitions.

Careers in Art, Design and Technology can span many different specialist areas, from painting, photography and prop design to architecture, animation and art conservation.

Fine artists, photographers, and designer craftspeople (e.g. jewellery designers, silversmiths and woodworkers) tend to take a more freelance career route in pursuing their talents, developing their own individual style, exhibiting and finally selling their work.

Graphic designers can work in many different areas, from book design in the publishing industry, to web design and packaging design for the food and drink industry. Some graphic designers work on a freelance basis, whilst many work for niche design agencies or as part of in-house departments of larger companies. You will often be working on various projects simultaneously. Life as a graphic designer can therefore be exceedingly fast-paced and challenging as well as highly exciting.

The worlds of engineering and construction would also be nowhere without the technical design skills of architects, product designers, spatial designers, landscape designers and mechanical design engineers.

Art, Design and Technology careers do not necessarily involve drawing, painting, sculpture or computer-based work. Indeed, fashion design and art conservation are other rewarding artistic careers that you might not have considered.

We are a large, highly experienced, dynamic faculty who aim to encourage our students to work together and share ideas and innovation.

Our students achieve examination grades above the national averages and who produce exceptional coursework across all the specialisms. Moderators from the exam boards who visit Duston regularly praise the high standards and variety of outcomes achieved by the students and the creative originality of the outcomes produced.

We enjoy celebrating our students’ achievement throughout the year in varied exhibitions and display in recognition and celebration of student effort, success and talent.

We are always happy to welcome any parents who might like to join us at any time during the year or who have any suggestions that could improve the teaching and learning for our creative students.

KS3 Subjects

• Fine Art
• Food & Nutrition
• Graphic Communication
• Resistant Materials
• Textiles

KS4 Courses

• GCSE Art & Design
• Level 1 and 2 Hospitality & Catering
• GCSE Graphic (Art and Design pathway)
• GCSE Design and Technology
• Level 2 Certificate Hair and beauty (theory) and Entry Level 3 (practical)

Post 16 Course

• A Level Art, Craft and Design