Design and Technology

Intent

The Design and Technology Faculty is a vibrant, creative and innovative department, with dedicated and enthusiastic staff. Within all specialisms of the subject, we aim to instil creativity and imagination. Pupils learn to design and make products that solve real-world relevant problems within a range of contexts, whilst considering their own and others’ needs, ethics, values and health and safety. To do this effectively, pupils will acquire an extensive and detailed range of skills and knowledge that link with core subjects: English, Maths, Science, Computing and Art.

The curriculum progresses over five years starting with a solid foundation of theory and practical skills. Upon completion at Key Stage 4, pupils will have been given the tools necessary to move on to further study within fields such as Architecture, Engineering, Food, Graphics, Textiles and Interior Design.

We will:

Encourage pupils to understand the impact of design and technology on the sustainable world and to develop an appreciation of the products they use.
Develop pupils’ skills to generate innovative and helpful products. They will learn this through analysing the work of others and speaking to clients.
Teach pupils a range of manufacturing techniques.

We are preparing our pupils to work in an ever-evolving environment where they will learn how to design sustainably and be able to adapt to an array of challenges. This curriculum will be delivered through theoretical and practical lessons, project-based learning, and independent research. Assessment will be ongoing and will include both formative and end-point assessments, with a focus on the development of pupils’ practical and critical thinking skills.

Implementation

Key Stage 3

There are four key elements to the KS3 DT curriculum (Design, Make, Evaluate and Technical Knowledge):

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, physical products, oral presentations and computer-based skills.
Make includes selecting from a range of materials, tools, techniques, processes and manufacture, including computer-aided design. Then using these skills to form a physical product.
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, using electronic systems and understanding how materials interact with each other.

Year 7

Pupils will be taught about textiles knowledge, sustainability and metal. They will learn where these materials come from as well as how to manufacture them on a one-off scale as well as in mass production.
Pupils will also be taught 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. They also will be taught health and safety in a workshop.

Year 8

Pupils will be taught about polymers, timber and the impact of nature on design.
Pupils will understand how the physical and working properties of a range of new materials.
Designing and making principles will be exploded in more detail, teaching student show designs are presented on a industry level.
Development their drawing techniques as well as practical skills.

Year 9

Pupils will be taught about the impact of famous designers and movements that have impacted the design world.
They will use this knowledge to generate design ideas, gaining feedback from their peers as well as self-reflection.
Pupils will also be taught the basics of circuits and how to solder electrical components.
Pupils develop their health and safety knowledge inside the workshop setting but also when it comes to product maintenance and disassembly.

Key Stage 4

GCSE Design & Technology

The GCSE Design and Technology course involves generating innovative, creative ideas, sketching,
using ICT and Computer- Aided Design and manufacturing, 3D modelling. Pupils can choose to go down a products design route where they will be using timber, polymer and metal to create a final product. Or they can choose a textiles route where they will be using fabrics and fibre to create their final prototype.

The course is split into two sections, theory and coursework. During the theory module they will develop on their material knowledge. Looking into smart and modern materials. As well as understanding how these materials interact with each other. Sustainability, ethics and material availability will be a key topic in understanding how products needs to be reconsidered. Students will taught how products are made on an industrial scale.

The second section of the course will be coursework. Students are required to independently select their own brief and design a product base don consumer need. They will use their theory knowledge to develop a portfolio of work justifying the need for their design. Students will collect feedback, sketch, model and make a final prototype for their idea. Coursework products that can be made range from laptop bags (textiles route) to lighting (product design route).

Assessment

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

Coursework task where students are given 20 hours.
50% of the qualification or 100 marks.

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 Miss Longshaw.