Welcome to Dawlish College.
It continues to be an absolute privilege to be the Headteacher at Dawlish College – the staff and students are second to none and take all of life’s challenges in their stride. Despite current uncertainties as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we continue to hold onto our core purpose in all that we do. Behind all of the decisions taken and measures put in place sits the balance between keeping staff and students safe whilst also providing them with a varied and exciting school experience.
Dawlish College is a vibrant and exciting place to be, where we have the highest expectations of staff and students alike and seek to provide challenge at every available opportunity. As a small school, we have a very proud record of holistic support, care and individual attention: the happiness and well-being of our students is of paramount importance and is a vital foundation for their growth and development. Our college has an atmosphere of creativity and positivity that is generated by the provision of excellent opportunities for every individual thereby maximising the outcomes and improving the life chances of the young people in our care.
As a parent myself, I understand that you want your child to be inspired, supported and challenged to be the best version of themselves within an environment that knows them and values them as an individual. Thank you for entrusting me with the care and education of your child, present or future, and I look forward to unlocking their ambitions as I get to know them and work closely with you.
S Banks
Headteacher
Design and Technology (D&T) is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which aims to prepare all our young people to live and work in an increasingly technological world. Students get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical expertise.
Between us we come from a range of backgrounds and have a broad variety of skills. One thing that we all have in common is a passion for our subject and all things creative and practical. This ethos runs through our teaching as we encourage students to explore, experiment and persevere to find solutions.
Students will complete four units across the disciplines this year and will be hands on and practical from the start. Basic key technical skills are introduced in each specialist area.
| Specialist Area | Technical Skills |
| Food and Nutrition | Conduction and convection; convection and radiation, rubbing in method. |
| Resistant Materials 1 | Measuring and marking out; using tools and equipment, hard woods and soft woods |
| Resistant Materials 2 | Using the coping saw; Laser cutter, 2D Design CAD and working with plastics |
| Textiles | Computer aided design and manufacture; fibres and fabrics; how to use the sewing machine. |
Year 8 is another year of creating and making across the disciplines building on key skills previously introduced.
| Specialist area | Technical skills |
| Food and Nutrition | Making dough successfully; portion control; oven management. |
| Resistant Materials | Tool / equipment recognition; thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics; permanent and temporary Joining methods |
| Textiles | Designer influence; sublimation printing; Casing and hems; Levers and linkages |
Skill levels are raised further and more independent design and making work is encouraged. This is matched with more informed theory to provide an insight into GCSE work requirements.
| Subject | Technical Skills |
| Food and Nutrition | Preparing cake mixtures; rubbing in and rolling out pastry; oven management |
| Resistant Materials | Design process; writing a specification; CAD/CAM; timbers and joinery |
| Textiles | Pattern cutting; shaping and construction methods; quality control; embellishment; fashion illustration and presentation |
In year 9 students may opt to take a design and technology subject(s) as part of the options process. There are currently three choices: Design and Technology (AQA) with a specialism in materials technology; Design and Technology (AQA) with a specialism in textiles; Food Preparation and Nutrition (Eduqas).
If students wish to opt for more than one of these subjects, they can choose either materials technology or textiles, along with Food Preparation and Nutrition.
Further details of the courses can be found in the Guide to Options.
For more information please contact BBelworthy@dawlish.devon.sch.uk
Knowledge Organisers can be found here.
Our 5-year learning journeys can be found below: