Hands-on experience and practical assignments are among the key factors that keep Brightonians truly engaged in school life. For Bao Tran, Year 9, subjects like Design and Technology (DT) provide an ideal platform to develop both creativity and problem-solving skills.
“DT encourages creativity and allows me to express my personality through my work, which is something I really enjoy. I see myself as a creative person, and I love that DT is always about trying new things, solving problems, and improving ideas,” she said.
Design and Technology is one of the core subjects taught from as early as Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 3 at Brighton College Vietnam. Through creative and hands-on activities, pupils gain knowledge and sharpen essential skills for the design process, enabling them to work across a variety of contexts, from home to engineering, and manufacturing.
Mr Simon Taylor, Head of Design and Technology, said: “Our curriculum is rooted in real-life scenarios, encouraging pupils to solve problems through research, collaboration, and hands-on making.
Mrs Kim Devlin, Head of Key Stage 3 and Teacher of DT, added: “DT is a foundation for future-ready skills, encompassing knowledge from science, maths, and computing. We encourage our pupils to be creative and innovative in every lesson, from Prep through to Senior School. By giving them open-ended design briefs, we empower them to take ownership of their ideas, explore their own platforms, and develop solutions on a level that reflects their individuality and ambition.”
At Brighton College Vietnam, pupils engaged in many practical projects like designing a book cover or a desk organiser for a specific user.
“Projects like these gave us complete freedom to be original and imaginative. My dream job is to become a designer, and I believe DT is the best subject to help me achieve that goal. It teaches me every step involved in creating a product, from the initial concept to the final outcome, and helps me present my ideas clearly and confidently,” Tran said.
