Design

Design

Most of what we see in the world which is man-made is there by design, whether that be good or bad is a matter of opinion, but it is a crucial aspect of this subject that both the creative and logistical sides of the topic are discussed in full. Undertaking trips is a great way to generate debate, inspire students creatively and also make them think about implications of things such as location, weather, longevity, colour, shape, materials, texture interaction with the surrounding environment, design history, fashion and fads.

Trips for design are very often either practical workshops or visits to museums, buildings or venues which have exhibits or themselves designed to inspire students to think creatively or logistically. Great examples include a trip to the Victoria and Albert museum in London, to view the Eden Project in Cornwall or the Sage arena in Gateshead from a design perspective.

Often trips will lead to major follow-up projects in the classroom which will include both practical and theoretical session, and other topics such as Physics or Technology can be involved. 

Due to the nature of the practical sessions which often take place on design-based trips, the implications for safety are very important and increased attention should be paid to the suitability fo the activities, the tools being used and also ensuring the students are well-briefed, wear any protective equipment or clothing at all times and behave themselves.

Or you could be inspired by visiting design icons such as the Tate Modern, the Saatchi Gallery or even the studios of Aardman Animations.

Main organisations:

Design and Technology Association (DATA)

National Society for Education in Art and Design

Design Council

British Institute of Interior Design

Inclusion: NASEN

Venues for this Curriculum

A magnificent Georgian mansion and tranquil garden lie at the heart of this historic parkland

Saltram stands high above the River Plym in a rolling and wooded landscaped park that now provides precious green space on the outskirts of Plymouth. The House with its magnificent decoration and original contents was largely created between the 1740’s and 1820’s by three generations of the Parker family.

A hidden hamlet nestled in the downs

Saddlescombe farm is a hidden gem on the South Downs Way. Near Devil's Dyke in West Sussex, the hamlet is only five miles from the seaside city of Brighton.

Documented in the Domesday Book, this unique example of a Downland farm recounts what life was really like throughout the last 1,000 years. Intriguingly, it was, even once home to the Knights Templar.

The family chapel of the Roman Catholic Bodenham family. The originally simple medieval building has a fine Elizabethan timber roof, a rebuilt 18th century tower, and striking Victorian interior decoration and furnishings by the Pugins.

Make and paint your own ceramic creations, with help from friendly, experienced staff.

You can have lots of fun painting your own designs onto pottery, making it personal to you and your family creating a unique gift for you to use everyday or to keep as a treasured memento.

A small chapel tranquilly set all alone in charming countryside. Its atmospheric interior contains a perfect set of 17th century timber furnishings, including a musicians' pew.

Visiting the Station in steam will provide a unique and unforgettable learning environment

Historic Victorian industrial building with many rare original engines and boilers. Children’s trail to follow, plus a Visitor Centre and mini museum to explore. Steaming Days held throughout the year.

Claymills Victorian Pumping Station will transport you and the kids more than 120 years into the past, when steam powered engines were being used in all aspects of Victorian life.

The Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge, located on Trumpington Street in central Cambridge, England. It receives around 470,000 visitors annually.

Our collections include:

Classworks is a performing arts organisation committed to working with young people and the wider community. Drawing on a range of expertise and our extensive costume collection we produce projects and performances involving participants in every aspect of the creative process within a professional, safe and supportive environment.

This peaceful ten acre garden occupies a hillside position extending down from the 17th century manor house, constructed of mellow Northamptonshire stone.

Landscaped on different levels, it comprises a series of distinctive smaller gardens, providing variety and interest throughout the season, and enhanced by flowing streams, fountains and ponds.

Originating as a 13th-century wayside hospital, this flint and timber-framed building now displays Roman artefacts from nearby sites.

Evocatively sited amid the East Kent marshes, Richborough is perhaps the most symbolically important of all Roman sites in Britain, witnessing both the beginning and almost the end of Roman rule here. Explore the huge stone walls which mark the site of this Saxon Shore fortress and take a look at the fascinating museum.

Landguard Fort is the site of the last opposed seaborne invasion of England in 1667 and the first land battle of the Royal Marines. The current fort was built in the 18th century, and modified in the 19th century with substantial additional 19th-20th century outside batteries. 

A pretty four-arched late medieval bridge, spanning the River Kennett on the old route from Cambridge to Bury St Edmunds.

The bridge is built of flint and stone rubble, with plain parapets, and the edges of the arches are made of brick. Pointed arch shapes like these were constructed using wooden formers to support and shape them, and were not used after the 15th century. 

A pretty thatched 13th century chapel with lancet windows.

There is no documentary evidence for the foundation of the Chapel of St James the Apostle at Lindsey.

Have your own private visit to St Nicholas Chapel with its 15th century wooden roof and beautifully carved angels.

For over 600 years the wonderful carved roof angels, the dazzling stained glass and the history contained within St Nicholas' Chapel have inspired locals and visitors alike. 

The partially excavated remains of a Roman 'Saxon Shore' fort, including wall and ditch sections and building foundations. Built around AD 200 for a unit of the Roman army and navy and occupied until the end of the 4th century.

The wonderfully complete 14th century brick-vaulted refectory undercroft - later a cottage occupied until 1902 - of a small Augustinian priory.

It is dedicated to Olaf, the 11th century king and patron saint of Norway whose stark Christian message was ‘baptism or death’.

One of the largest, best preserved and most lavishly decorated keeps in England, surrounded by 20 acres of mighty earthworks.

Begun in 1138 by William d'Albini for his new wife, the widow of Henry I, in the 14th century it became the luxurious exile-place of Queen Isabella, widow (and alleged murderess) of Edward II.

Owned and managed by Lord Howard of Rising.

The extensive remains of one of the most important East Anglian monasteries, the Cluniac Priory of Our Lady of Thetford and the burial place of the earls and dukes of Norfolk for 400 years.

The Sainsbury Centre is a world-class art gallery at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Admission is free to the permanent collections, which feature outstanding world and modern European art. There are also special exhibitions changing every few months. 

The ruins of the small Anglo-Saxon and medieval chapel of Stone-next-Faversham - the only Christian building in England to incorporate within its fabric the remains of a 4th century Romano-British pagan mausoleum.

It lay close to the probable site of the small Roman town of Durolevum and its Roman cemetery at Ospringe, finds from which can be seen at Maison Dieu.

Looking for inspiration to give your pupils a day out they’ll never forget? Where you can guarantee they will come face to face with the world’s most famous faces, meet the Royal Family, live out their musical fantasy, beat Beckham at his own game or test their IQ against Einstein? At Madame Tussauds – where else!

School visitors to the the Design Museum follow an Explore Design Museum Family Trail, featuring The Thinkerer. With the help of The Thinkerer kids, and adults, can get the most from their visit to the museum.

Preparatory visits must be booked in advance through the Learning Administrator. You will be entitled to one free visit per booking.

Mile End is a heavily street-orientated skatepark, although there is a small swimming pool style bowl and wooden mini ramp indoors. It has several ledges spread out around the park, lots of flat land areas, manual pads and a nice hip with a ledge on top. It’s very much a good park to train your street skills up.

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