Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 5

Subject content

As pupils progress through this stage, they will be involved in both classwork and workshop activities. The classroom work can be divided broadly into four areas; drawing, research, use of ICT and materials knowledge. Design and make takes place in the workshop, and occupies about half the time available. Pupils will learn to use a range of tools, processes, techniques and equipment appropriate to wood, metal and plastics

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Pupils will deal with a different material and develop further drawing and presentational skills each year, with an emphasis on graphics, research and design capability in Year 9 leading to selection for GCSE.

By the time pupils have completed this key stage, they will have experienced the required design process elements of a GCSE course.

There will also be a required unit on food technology entitled Licence to Cook which probably will be delivered in Year 8. Details for this will be provided when we know more about the course and resources being made available.

Enrichment days and trips

Throughout the year, the department provides at least one out of school trip to a museum or exhibition appropriate to the subject. Popular venues are the Design Museum , the Science Museum and there are numerous local factories and businesses for the upper school to visit.

Within school, enrichment days provide opportunities for pupils to concentrate their energies on practical and mechanical tasks, experience using different materials and co-operate with other departments in linked activities.

A whole day in the workshop is planned for GCSE pupils to make a significant contribution to the completion of their coursework.

A session on smart materials is planned with the science department, and methods of breaching castle walls are always a popular challenge on a shared history-based day.