Design Technology

The Leeds SCITT Design Technology course provides you with the opportunity to specialise in Resistant Materials, Food Technology or Textiles up to KS4 (GCSE level).  You will also have the opportunity to teach a second specialism at KS3 (ages 11 – 14).  

The course lasts for ten months and is divided into three twelve week stages, each with the emphasis on being School Centred.  Being in a school environment from day one provides you with the unique opportunity to build upon your prior skills and experience and enhance your subject knowledge and professionalism in a real life classroom context.  

In Stage One trainees are based at the Lead School for Design Technology, Guiseley School where the focus is on developing their knowledge and understanding of the Design Technology curriculum through conducting research assignments and lesson observations.  Professional understanding of the requirements of being a teacher, including classroom management strategies and how to support pupils with varying needs, is supported by weekly sessions based at Leeds Trinity.  

Stage Two consists of your first teaching placement in one of our partnership schools.  Here trainees are encouraged to put into practice the knowledge and understanding developed in Stage One in order to develop and broaden their teaching skills.

In Stage Three trainees transfer their competency into a different school context.  As in Stage Two, trainees teach to a timetable where they plan, deliver and evaluate challenging and engaging lessons.  Two weeks are spent at the end of Stage Three conducting enrichment activities, where trainees are able to explore areas of interest and develop resources for their placement school.

Throughout each stage trainees are fully supported by the Lead Tutor for Design Technology, a Link tutor from Leeds Trinity and subject specialist mentors who are dedicated to training the very best teachers.

To be accepted onto the course you will need:

• an honours degree with a significant element of Design Technology at a classification of 2:ii or above.
• advanced level qualifications (or equivalent experience) in the Design Technology strand you wish to teach (resistant materials, food technology or textiles).
• GCSE grade C or above in English and Mathematics (or equivalent).
• the ability to read effectively and communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written standard English.
• a good state of physical and mental fitness
• confirmation that you have not been excluded from teaching nor from working with children, nor have been registered with the Criminal Records Bureau as unfit for working with children or young persons.
• the suitable personal and intellectual qualities required for teaching in secondary schools.

It is beneficial that you also have:

• recent experience working with secondary-age children.
• recent experience of your subject in a secondary school.
• experience as a trainer / teacher / mentor to others.
• a competent level of ICT skills and experience.