Design and Technology
Inspiring students to work together, to be creative, solve problems, communicate their ideas and apply knowledge, skills and understanding of a range of materials and systems. We also hope to help our students become independent, motivated and innovative young people who are tolerant and mindful of others.
Every student in Year 7, 8 and 9 studies Design and Technology. At Key Stage 4 students will choose one of three GCSE or equivalent level courses.
Key Stage 3
Students in KS3 have four hours of Design Technology per fortnight.
Curriculum intent
Classes in KS3 follow a newly up-dated scheme of work based on the programmes of study to actively engage students at the beginning of their secondary education. The schemes seek to prepare students more thoroughly for the new, more challenging KS4 qualifications introduced from September 2017 and to develop key practical and problem solving skills whilst acquiring a broad range of subject knowledge which draw on additional disciplines such as mathematics, science and art.
The curriculum is divided into six subject specialisms taught by specialist teachers in specialist rooms and workshops with an excellent range of resources and materials. Every student will study six modules each year. The suite of modules consists of:
- Food Technology
- Graphics (taught as a separate skill in Year 8 and 9 only)
- Product Design
- Systems and Control
- Textiles
- Engineering
Assessments are completed at the end of each 6 week unit which include an end of unit test.
Content covered are:
Year 7
| Specialist area | Theme/Product | Key skills |
| Textiles | Pencil Case | Research culture, block printing, applique, hand embroidery, sewing machine driving test, insert zip |
| Systems and Control | Moisture detector | Component identification, use of simulation software, manufacturing instructions, assembly of the electronic circuit and testing |
| Product Design | Pencil Box | Developing practical hand skills, use of belt sander and hegner saw, workshop safety, CAD/CAM application using 2D Design and the laser cutter, Sketchup, properties of timber |
| Food Technology | Safety and Hygiene | Basic cooking skills using the ovens, knife skills. Products made: apple crumble, scones, pizza. Evaluation. |
| Engineering | Flying Animal | Forces, levers, practical hand skills, use of hegner saw, research, properties of timber |
Year 8
| Specialist area | Theme/Product | Key skills |
| Textiles | Sustainable bag for life | Sewing machine skills – hem, handles for bag, seam. Use of stencils, applique, sustainability |
| Graphics | 3D Projection |
2D and 3D CAD skills Hand drawing and Sketching skills |
| Systems and Control | Programming and downloading to devices | Use of Logicator for Pic and Picaxe |
| Product Design | Mobile phone stands | Selecting correct equipment for processes and development of practical hand skills, use of belt sander and hegner saw, selection the CAD/CAM application using 2D Design and the laser cutter, Sketchup, properties of plastics, evaluation |
| Food Technology | Diet and Nutrition | Food and Healthy eating – Victoria sponge, Spaghetti Bolognaise, Focaccia Bread |
| Engineering | Puzzle | Developing practical hand skills, tolerances in Engineering, scale of production, legislation and labelling products, properties of metals |
Year 9
| Specialist area | Theme/Product | Key skills |
| Textiles | Cushion | Accuracy and applique, stenciling, block printing, repeat patterns, insert zip, seam |
| Graphic Products | Zoomorphic lamp – packaging | Hand sketching, CAD drawing and Rendering, Industrial processes, modelling skills |
| Systems and Control | Zoomorphic lamp | Dark sensor, integrating maths skills, problem solving, designing own circuit on PCB |
| Product Design | Zoomorphic lamp – drawing of head component Photo frame | Developing practical hand skills – pillar drill, CAD/CAM application using 2D Design, Google sketchup, laser cutter |
| Food Technology | Nutrition and food safety | Meatball pasta, cinnamon rolls, own choice meal. Evaluation skills |
| Engineering | Zoomorphic lamp | Orthographic, Isometric, oblique drawing ergonomics and anthropometrics, properties of polymers and manufacturing processes, Access FM, Modelling Skills, Developing practical hand skills |
Students complete work in specially designed booklets and PowerPoint presentations are used widely in lesson delivery. All year 7, 8 and 9 students cover the same material with differentiation taken care of by classroom teachers to tailor the course to fit the needs of their classes. This allows for standardisation of work across the subject. Students are taught in mixed-ability groups.
Key Stage 4
Students in KS4 have five hours of Design Technology per fortnight.
Students may choose from the following range of courses:
- OCR Level 2 Cambridge National Certificate in Engineering Design
- GCSE Design Technology (specialising in either Product Design or Textiles)
- WJEC Level 2 Hospitality and Catering Vocational award
These courses are all equivalent to GCSE and are certificated on the 1-9 scale or equivalent.
In each of the design and technology subjects students will be expected to organise and plan effectively aspects of a design and technology activity, and to combine their designing and making skills to produce quality products.
The schemes of assessment consist of:
GCSE courses:
- Written paper (50%)
- NEA (non-exam assessment) 50% based on a ‘Contextual challenge’
OCR Level 2 Cambridge National Certificate:
- Written paper (40%)
- Internally assessed assignments (60%)
WJEC Level 2 Hospitality and Catering vocation award:
- Written paper (40%)
- Internally assessed assignments (60%)
As a department committed to creativity and innovation, we make full use of the most advanced computer technology. CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacture) features strongly in the entire suite of Design Technology subjects.