One of our key STEM subjects, Design Technology at King Edward’s School is an independent learning environment, where pupils are encouraged to develop problem solving skills and respond to design challenges with imagination, creativity and wit. Innovation, flair and risk-taking are positively encouraged and rewarded from Year 7 up to Sixth Form level. Our aim is to provide a wide range of opportunities which enable all pupils to have fun exploring, discovering and enjoying their innate creativity through a series of design challenges which will help to establish a firm foundation of both practical and problem-solving skills, as well as to provide a clear understanding of what constitutes good design. At the heart of what we do lies a fundamental appreciation of the simple enjoyment of designing and making things. More than this, we believe we impart to our pupils the confidence and skills require to make a difference in their chosen career after leaving King Edward’s. "The requirement is simple. We need business people who understand creativity, who know when and how to use the specialist, and who can manage innovation: creative specialists who understand the environment in which their talents will be used and who can talk the same language as their clients and business colleagues; and the engineers and technologists who understand the design process and can talk the language of business." THE COX REVIEW OF CREATIVITY IN BUSINESS: BUILDING ON THE UK'S STRENGTHS GCSE We follow the GCSE Design and Technology: Product Design course. By the time pupils reach their GCSE course in Year 10, they will already have a sound skills base to enable them to tackle more demanding projects with confidence. This is built upon during the first half of the course and a series of more focused project work gives the pupils further skills in 3D CAD and the systems approach to design. The exam board provides the context for the Non-Examined Assessment which the pupils start late in Year 10. Some of our pupils apply for prestigious Arkwright Scholarships each year and we have enjoyed success in this over many years. A LEVEL In the Sixth Form, we offer courses in Design Engineering and in Product Design. These syllabus’ encourages pupils to think 'outside the box.' Whether the route is Design Engineering or Product Design, pupils will need to work with user groups and other potential stakeholders to develop an innovative and creative solution to a problem they have identified and defined. Risk taking and problem solving form the nucleus of the iterative design process and creating an industry ready solution that can be manufactured anywhere is the desired result. A Level groups often participate in extra-curricular competitions such as the Land Rover 4x4 Challenge, and are current national finals winners.