Complementary Subjects:

• Science for understanding material properties, forces and movement.
• Art and Design for expressing ideas through design and creativity.
• Geography for environmental issues,used to develop sustainable solutions.
• Maths for measurement and conversion.
• IT for using computer-aided design (CAD) software and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems.

KS3

 

At Key Stage 2-3, students are taught to generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, prototypes and computer-aided design. Arts and crafts play a big role in developing a student's ability to work with and understand materials and 3D models and this will be an area to build from to help nurture success.

Design Technology at Key Stage 3 will require students to develop these key transferable skills such as evaluation, critical thinking and problem-solving. We nurture imagination and the willingness to accept failure as an integral part of progress.

Year 7 Pull along toy	Year 8 Jewellery box	Year 9 Anglepoise lamp
Drawing skills Basic cutting skills	Developing of cutting skills Machinery skills Drawing communication	Machinery skills Electronic component

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, students will be taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in a process of designing and making. Students will develop and communicate design ideas using annotated sketches and detailed plans. 3-D and mathematical modelling will be key factors to develop the subject further. Students will be able to independently select and use specialist tools, techniques, processes, equipment and machinery precisely, including computer-aided manufacture.

In Year 7, students design and make a pull-along toy, whilst in Year 8 they build on these skills to manufacture a jewellery box.  The final project in Year 9 is designing and making an Anglepoise lamp following a template.

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KS4

 

Design and Technology at Key Stage 4 sets out the knowledge, understanding and skills required to undertake the iterative design process of exploring, creating and evaluating. The majority of the course is delivered through the practical application of this knowledge and understanding. Building on their knowledge from Key Stage 3, students will manufacture complex and varied products to ensure a level of practical understanding which can be applied to independent design and problem-solving.

We follow the AQA Design and Technology GCSE specification. The students have 3 lessons per week (2 lessons of practical application, 1 lesson of theory and written work). Homework will support written theory tasks and learning of subject topics. There is also a dedicated after school intervention one evening a week with another drop in day optional for students to help them gain the best marks possible in their coursework.

Students must also demonstrate mathematical and scientific knowledge and understanding, in relation to design and technology.

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
Year 10	New & Emerging Technology Evaluation and design decision   End of unit test	Energy: generation and storage Development in new material   End of unit test	System approach to designing Mechanical devices   End of unit test	Material and their working properties Specialist technical properties End of unit test	Scale of production Timber     End of unit test	NEA contextual challenge released Revision
Year 11	NEA REVISION	NEA REVISION	NEA REVISION	NEA REVISION	EXAM REVISION

Further Reading/Resources:

• Pocket size revision guide GCSE design and technology

• Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology