Curriculum Intent

Design and Technology is a practical and valuable subject within today’s modern world. It enables children and young people to actively contribute to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of themselves, their community and their nation. It teaches how to take risks and so become more resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable. Students develop a critical understanding of the impact of design and technology on daily life and the wider world. Additionally, it provides excellent opportunities for students to develop and apply value judgements of an aesthetic, economic, moral, social, and technical nature both in their own designing and when evaluating the work of others.

The Design and Technology Department is a vibrant, exciting and forward thinking department. There are five dedicated and enthusiastic members of staff in the department, including teaching staff and technicians. The subjects taught are Product Design, Resistant Materials, Textiles and Engineering. Within all areas we aim to instil into our students interest and enjoyment of the subjects, but through our core we encourage creativity and imagination. Students learn to Design and Make products that solve genuine, relevant problems within different design contexts whilst considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. To do this effectively, pupils will acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw upon other subjects such as Maths, Science, Engineering, Computing and Art. The curriculum builds up over five years starting with building a solid foundation of knowledge. The curriculum is sequenced to build upon previous knowledge and give a greater understanding of how Designers make the decisions on which materials to use and the environmental impact associated with these and their manufacture. By the time pupils reach year 11 they will have been taught all of the knowledge to allow them to investigate a design brief, research the issues that arise and design a product that is suitable for the user and be commercially viable.

We are preparing our students to work in an ever changing competitive world and preparing them for a lifetime of sustainable living. As a team we are committed to promoting the knowledge and skills that students require to both further their education and beyond.

Within the Faculty we have increasingly sophisticated resources, including dedicated teaching environments, computer aided designing and manufacturing equipment and specialist teaching rooms.

Curriculum Implementation

Key Stage 3

There are four key elements to the KS3 DT curriculum:

• Design includes identifying user needs, solving design problems, developing specifications that help them design innovative, functional and appealing products, and communicating their ideas through methods such as sketches, plans, 3D and mathematical modelling, oral and digital presentations and computer-based skills.
• Make selecting from a range of materials, tools, techniques, processes and manufacture, including computer-aided design.
• Evaluate involves analysing the work of past and present design professionals, investigating new and emerging technologies, testing, evaluating and refining their own ideas, and understanding how design and technology impacts on people, and the responsibilities of designers and engineers.
• Technical knowledge includes understanding and using the properties of materials, understanding and using more advanced electrical and electronic systems, and using computing to make intelligent products using programmable components.

Year 7

• Pupils will be taught primary sources of materials for producing Natural and Manufactured Timbers, Paper and board, Plastics and Metals and the ability to recognise and characterise different types of a materials.
• Pupils will also be taught how to understand the physical and working properties of a range of materials and how this affects their performance.
• Pupils will also begin to develop a range of drawing techniques including rendering.

Year 8

• Pupils will be taught sources of modern, smart materials and textiles and the ability to recognise and characterise different types of materials.
• Pupils will understand how the physical and working properties of a range of modern/smart materials, textiles and metals affects their performance.
• Designing and making principles using a range of materials developing prior skills.
• Development of drawing techniques building upon previous knowledge.
• Specialist technical principles based upon sustainability and the impact of materials and energy generation.

Key Stage 4

Cambridge National Engineering Design

Why Choose ICT Cambridge Nationals

The OCR Cambridge Nationals in Engineering Design is for Learners who wish to acquire technical skills through vocational contexts as part of their Key Stage 4 learning. The qualification recognises the value of learning skills, knowledge and vocational attributes to complement GCSEs. The Award gives Learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment and are transferable skills required by employers.

This qualification is an opportunity for students to develop a design specification and study the processes involved in designing new engineered products. They’ll use practical skills such as drawing, computer modelling and model making to communicate design ideas. The qualification will also encourage students to consult with a client and, with its practical focus, will engage students in producing, testing and evaluating a prototype in the form of a model.

Assessment

Unit R105: Design Briefs, design specifications and user requirements.

Assessed through a 1 hour written exam question paper worth 60 marks.

■ Comprises short answer and extended response questions.

■ Assesses the quality of written communication.

 

Unit R106: Product analysis and research.

30 hours of Centre-assessed tasks worth 60 marks:

■ This Unit comprises practical tasks in the context of an assignment.

 

Unit R107: Developing and presenting engineering designs.

30 hours of Centre-assessed tasks worth 60 marks:

■ This Unit comprises practical tasks in the context of an assignment.

 

Unit R108: 3D design realisation.

30 hours of Centre-assessed tasks worth 60 marks:

■ This Unit comprises practical tasks in the context of an assignment. The course does involve the production of written coursework portfolios. Engineering techniques and processes will be underpinned with focussed practical tasks

GCSE Design & Technology

The Course

The GCSE Design and Technology course involves generating innovative, creative ideas, sketching,
using ICT and Computer- Aided Design and manufacturing, 3D modelling. Pupils be analysing trends
and products and the influence of famous designers and design movements. Coursework will use a lot of ICT, but students will be required to sketch and model by hand, as well as using CAD software. Typical coursework products made include stereo amplifiers, various lighting and storage products.

Assessment

1. Design and Technology in the 21st Century:
   Written Examination lasting 2 Hours counting
   for 50% of the qualification or 100 marks.
2. Design and Make Task:
   50% of the qualification or 100 marks.

The department also offers an opportunity to combine business and computing knowledge working with an external body.

Independent study

KS3 – Students in KS3 are given one piece of homework every two lessons; the work is always set on classcharts with supportive documents to assist with the work. The homework has been designed to cover the topics students have covered in their lessons in a creative way.

KS4 – Students in KS4 are set weekly homework. These tasks are always set on classcharts with students encouraged to use the recommended revision guides and supportive text to complete the tasks.

Skills for Success

All schemes within Technology include employability skills, such as organizational skills, communication, teamwork, resilience, time management, perseverance and problem solving.

Career Opportunities

Architecture lecturer and teacher. Fashion Design, Interior Design, Engineering, Space Design, Civil

Engineering, Website Design, Draughting, Quantity Surveying, Geotechnical, Surveying, Product

Design, Town Planning, Illustrator, Theatre Designer, Animator, Textile Designer, Costume Designer, Fashion Designer, Sportswear Designer, Footwear Designer, Jewellery Design, Automotive Design and many more.

Contact the Head of Department

For further information, please contact Mrs Williams – Head of Faculty