Design and Technology

curriculum Intent

The purpose of the Design & Technology curriculum is to create challenge and encourage critical thinking. The aim is for students to achieve mastery and the ability to think and apply their knowledge and skills independently. They will develop skills to be able to identify and investigate design possibilities and a broad range of skills and experiences in relation to the iterative design process. Students will develop practical knowledge, skills and confidence and safe practice to develop prototypes and develop an understanding of how to analyse and evaluate. They will be given opportunities to keep up to date with new and emerging technologies including CAD/CAM, material and manufacturing developments.

 

Termly projects are undertaken, focusing on: design and manufacture; materials, finishes, joining methods and properties; processes, tools, equipment and health and safety; application of theory knowledge to design / project work. The projects from Year 7 – 10 build on a range of skills and knowledge and focus on different elements of theory and design project tasks. Projects become more challenging as the years progress with the incorporation of more complex processes.

 

Links with subjects include: Geography - Environment and sustainability, ecosystems, sustainable / finite Energy; Sciences -  Modern materials, composites, nano materials, energy generation and storage, systems and devices, electronics, mechanics, material testing, chemical reactions; Maths skills – volumes, areas ,percentages, data, costs; History – design influences, design era, development of technology, materials, manufacturing, work of other designers; IT / computing – CAD / CAM software, systems and devices; Psychology – social and moral beliefs, psychology of design; Economics – enterprise, circular economy, efficiency in design and manufacture; Art / Graphics – designers, range of media and communication skills.

foundation years: Years 7 and 8

Design and Technology: Year 7

  • Health and safety in workshop.
  • Cutting, shaping and finishing plastics, woods and metals.
  • Electronics – PCB manufacture and soldering.
  • Plastic moulding techniques.
  • Wood working – fret saws, belt sander, pillar drill and lathe.

Design and Technology: Year 8 

  • Health and safety in workshop.
  • Cutting, shaping and finishing plastics, woods and metals.
  • Wood working – fret saws, belt sander, pillar drill and lathe.
  • CAD / CAM – 2D Design software, laser cutting and vinyl cutting.
  • Design movements.
  • Sketching and rendering skills.
  • Inclusive and ergonomic design.

Food Technology

Students also complete a project in Food Technology in both Year 7 and 8, which teaches them about ‘Food Hygiene’, ‘Health and Safety’ and ‘Food Nutrition’.

Topics covered include:

  • Health and safety – knives, ovens, food storage and preparation areas.
  • Hygiene – personal and kitchen hygiene
  • Nutrition – eat well plate and guideline daily amounts.

Keystone Year: year 9

  • Vacuum forming
  • Laser cutting
  • Etching PCB manufacture
  • Soldering
  • Electronic components
  • Laser cutting
  • A range of workshop tools and machinery
  • Health and safety in the workshop.
  • 2D Design software.

GCSE: years 10 and 11

Exam Board: AQA

Year 10

Non Exam Assessment (NEA) – 50% of grade:

  • Substantial design and make task.
  • Identifying and investigating design possibilities
  • Producing a design brief and specification
  • Generating design ideas
  • Developing design ideas
  • Realising design ideas
  • Analysing & evaluating

 

Exam Content – 50% of grade:

  • New and emerging technologies
  • Energy generation and storage
  • Developments in new materials
  • Systems approach to designing
  • Mechanical devices
  • Materials and their working properties

Year 11

Non Exam Assessment (NEA) – 50% of grade:

  • Substantial design and make task.
  • Identifying and investigating design possibilities.
  • Producing a design brief and specification.
  • Generating design ideas.
  • Developing design ideas.
  • Realising design ideas.
  • Analysing & evaluating.

Exam Content – 50% of grade:

  • New and emerging technologies
  • Energy generation and storage
  • Developments in new materials
  • Systems approach to designing
  • Mechanical devices
  • Materials and their working properties

A Level: years 12 and 13

Exam board: AQA

Year 12

  • Performance of Papers and Boards.
  • Performance of Polymers.
  • Performance of Woods.
  • Performance of Metals.
  • Composite Materials
  • Processing Papers and Boards.
  • Processing Polymers.
  • Processing and working with woods.
  • Processing Metals.
  • NEA Task.
  • Design and make portfolio.
  • CAD / CAM
  • 2D Design
  • Mini Project: Natural forms are a constant source of inspiration for product designers
  • Design a product that reflects the elegance of nature.
  • Mini Project: Toy Train Manufacturing project

Year 13

  • Industrial Practices.
  • Product Design Considerations.
  • Product Design.
  • Design Methods.
  • Design Processes.
  • Responsible Design.
  • NEA Task.
  • Design and make portfolio.