The core experience in design and technology is essentially about providing opportunities for students to develop their capability, through combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to create quality products. At Thomas Catholic School (TMCS)  there is an  emphasis on "quality" products as there is great benefit in students experiencing success and seeing and handling products that are well made. In addition the TMCS sees the preparation of young people for citizenship in a technological society as a central activity within the subject.

The core activity of design and technology involves investigative, disassembly and evaluative activities related to products and their applications; focused practical tasks to develop skills and the fields of knowledge; materials and components; control and systems, which include mechanical, electrical and electronic and pneumatic, structures; quality and health and safety. In D&T, we often draw from other curriculum areas like science, mathematics, art and design, business education, information technology, environmental education and economic and industrial understanding.  D&T will also contribute to these subjects and some other curriculum areas.

Design and technology provides excellent opportunities for students to apply value judgments of an aesthetic, economic, moral, social, and technical nature in their designing and to existing products and their applications.

Students will use a range of communication skills, including verbal, graphical and modeling skills, to help their thinking and ability to take action in the process of designing

D&T provides excellent opportunities for teamwork.