Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 5

Subject content

At this level, a greater understanding of the selection, properties, processing and uses of materials is required, and aspects of commercial and industrial manufacturing will be introduced. More work is done on product analysis and the influence of design on society, as well as Health and Safety and CAD/CAM.

All pupils must participate in a Design & Make project which requires them to manufacture a quality product in resistant materials, supported by a folio to show the understanding, research and development of the artefact. This part is worth 60% of the marks available.

The written paper is a 11/2 hour assessment of the knowledge and understanding of;

• Materials and components
• Preparing and finishing materials
• Manufacturing commercial products
  • Design and market influence.

 

The written paper is worth 40% of the marks 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.