D.T. is extremely popular and successful here at Hall Mead. Lessons aim to cover all aspects of the curriculum via a wide range of activities including drawing, modelling, computer-aided-design and workshop manufacture. Practical work is always preceded by background research and design work allowing pupils to build a sound knowledge of the whole design process before manufacture. Once workshop manufacture begins, on-going teacher demonstrations and discussions throughout making ensure theoretical knowledge is gained through hands-on experience and observation. Finished products will be evaluated by each pupil on completion to allow lessons to be learnt for the future.

Every workshop contains popular workshop machinery such as: bandfacer, pillar drill, buffer, wood lathe, vacuum former, bandsaw etc.

The department has four fully equipped workshops each
containing a comprehensive tool cupboard.

In addition to the conventional workshops, we also have a dedicated graphics room which has 20 computers installed with the latest graphics and CAD software such as PhotoShop, ProDesktop, AutoCAD and Fireworks as well as the standard Office suite. We also have a small computer annex containing an additional 12 computers which can be used as a drop-in centre by pupils not timetabled to be in the main computer room.

In order to make full use of the CAD software used by the pupils, our CAM room contains a Denford MicroRouter, used for creating 3D models of products designed in ProDesktop and a Roland-CAMM Vinyl Cutting machine used to make professional 2D graphics by cutting into thin coloured sticky vinyl.