Design Technology
In KS3 students work in a 9-10 week rotation covering 2 areas of Design and Technology, Food Preparation and Nutrition, and Art. In Design and Technology they start a programme that will build knowledge and understanding of tools, equipment, materials and processes that will develop the skills to be able to design and manufacture various projects. This work leads directly into the GCSE program at KS4. Once completed the students take home their projects for a small contribution towards the material costs.
KEY STAGE 3
Y7
Students start to learn about the design process, tools, equipment and materials required to produce the following projects. This will also include independent and group work as well as self and peer assessment.
Mechanisms project
Design and make a mechanical toy. This project is about designing for a client. Along the way students will learn about environmental issues, generating creative ideas, problem solving and Mechanisms.
Celebration Project
Understand basic electronic circuits, CAD/CAM equipment and hand tools by making a Celebration themed toy
Industrial processes (injection moulding)
Key skills covered in both projects are.
- Designing skills
- Problem solving skills
- Manufacturing processes
- Use of specific hand and machine tools
- Materials and properties
- CAD, Computer Aided Design
- CAM, Computer Aided Manufacturing
Y8
Students build on prior knowledge to develop their understanding of both designing and practical skills. Students are expected to work more independently so they can solve problems that the projects may present.
Manufacturing Project
Understand how products are made in large quantities to allow for greater accuracy and repeatability.
Throughout the project students will:
- have hands-on experience with specialist equipment, techniques and manufacturing aids
- You will learn how to speed up production and ensure accuracy
- build on your knowledge of materials and their properties in order to make decisions for production
- gain a deeper understanding of the positive and negative impact that products can have on the wider world
Illuminated Display
Develop further understanding of materials and their properties electronic circuits, the use of hand tools, machinery and jigs in the production of a themed illuminate display
Key skills covered in both projects are
- CAD, Computer Aided Design
- CAM, Computer Aided Manufacturing
- Problem solving skills
- Quality Assurance & Quality Control
- Manufacturing processes
- Use of specific hand and machine tools
- Materials and properties
- Advancements in technology
Y9
Students continue to build on prior knowledge to develop their understanding of both designing and practical skills. Students are expected to work more independently so they can solve problems that the projects may present.
Desktop Storage Project
Students will get a taste of what is involved in D&T GCSE by designing, planning, making and evidencing your own project. Throughout the course, they will build on their ICT and CAD skills to communicate work. Students will show that they can follow their own production plan to produce a finished product.
Occasional Seat
Designing in the style of 20th Century art & design movements including looking at design history to inspire a folding stool
Working with metals and textiles
Introducing Die sublimation, sewing machines and Metal centre Lathe
Evaluating work
Key skills covered in both projects are
Further CAD, Computer Aided Design
Further CAM, Computer Aided Manufacturing
Working to specific tolerances
Quality Assurance & Quality Control
Manufacturing processes
Use of specific hand and machine tools
Materials and properties
KEY STAGE 4
Design & Technology is an option subject which offers students the opportunity to build on prior knowledge and skills and can lead in to career areas such as Product Design, Graphic Design, and Computer Aided Design. There are no longer specific pathways or materials at GCSE level and students are encouraged to be creative in their designs and use of materials and processes to meet the task set by AQA.
Y10
Using the skills knowledge and understanding from KS3 students work through a mock GCSE NEA (Non-Exam Assessment) which represents 50% of the total marks and helps to prepare for the project which is set by AQA in June of Y10. Students also sit a mock written exam which represents the other 50% of the total marks. To help prepare for this exam students complete core knowledge lessons during the course to cover the material that they may be examined on.
Y11
Students work on their NEA set by AQA using the lessons to complete their design folder, models and final product. This is an independent task worth 50% of the marks and should be completed by the students within time (from June of Y10 to March of Y11) set by AQA. The students will have access to all the tools, materials and equipment within the department to enable them to complete their task. Core knowledge lessons will continue to prepare the students for the written exam worth the other 50% of the marks and during the year they will sit two mock papers to enable them to develop their exam technique.
CURRICULUM TIME
KS3: 2hours
KS4: 2 hours (Y10), 3hours (Y11)
ASSESSMENT
Paper 1: (50%) Written paper - 2 hours
Section A : Core technical principles - mixture of short answer and extended response questions
Section B: Specialist technical principles - mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions assessing a breadth of technical knowledge and understanding
Section C: Designing and making principles - several short answer questions and one extended response to assess a more in depth knowledge of technical principles
Non-Exam Assessment: (50%) Practical application of: Core technical principles, Specialist technical principles and Designing and making principles (30-35 hours)
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Mr. P. Johnson
