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
Year 7 – Key Fob project:
- Marking out, cutting, filing, sanding, drilling and finishing wood, plastic and metal key fob shapes. Workshop based – practical tasks.
- Includes Health and Safety in workshop.
- Properties and names of different woods, plastics and metals.
- Names and correct use of a range of workshop tools and machinery.
Year 7 - Functionality and Aesthetics project:
- Product Comparison.
- Natural Structures.
- Geometric Shapes.
- Organic Architecture.
- Constructing Natural Forms.
- Presentation of Concepts.
Year 7 – Sketching and Modelling project:
- 2D and 3D Sketching Skills.
- Turning 2D into 3D.
- Perspective Drawing.
- Physical Modelling.
- 3D CAD Modelling
- Solidworks Project.
Design and Technology: Year 8
Year 8 – Mood Light Project:
- Research, analysis and evaluation.
- 2D Design CAD.
- Laser Cutting.
- Vacuum Forming.
- Line Bending.
- Electronic PCB manufacture.
- Electronic components and soldering.
Year 8 – Innovation through iterative design project:
- Identify design context.
- Model, Test and Evaluate.
- Prototype.
- Develop, Test and Evaluate.
- Is it ready?
- Present your progress.
Year 8 – Problem Solving Project:
- Identifying User Needs.
- Specification development.
- Inclusive design.
- Problem Solving.
- Personalised design
- Critical evaluation.
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’.
Year 7 – Food Technology project:
- Health and Safety in the Food Room.
- Personal and Kitchen Hygiene.
- Names and use of equipment.
- Eat Well Plate – Balanced diet.
- Practical tasks – Pitta Pockets, Pizzas and Muffins.
Year 8 - Food Technology project:
- Physical, chemical and biological hazards in kitchen.
- Knife and oven safety.
- Healthy eating and Guideline Daily Amounts.
- Nutritional information.
- Packaging design.
- Practical tasks – Vegetable stir fry, Spaghetti Bolognese and Granola Cookies.
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.
