Design Technology
The department has four spacious and well equipped teaching areas. Students can work with a wide range of materials such as wood, metal, plastics, food, textiles and graphics. All areas are supported with ICT facilities allowing students to use computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM).
We aim to:
- teach students to use the powerful process of designing, in which new ideas are conceived and taken from the mind’s eye into the made world.
- introduce them to the use and application of a wide range of modern technologies
- encourage, through designing and making so students can think and intervene creatively to improve quality of life.
- stimulate students to become autonomous and creative problem- solvers, as individuals and members of a team.
- ensure that through design and technology students become innovative and enterprising citizens and learn to become discriminating and informed consumers.
- teach students to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
- ensure that students understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.
Years 7-9
We follow the National Curriculum in years 7-9.
Students are taught in mixed ability groups throughout. Resources that are useful in supporting study include:
- Skills in Textiles by Rose Sinclair, Heinemann publications ISBN:9780435421144
- Design and Technology: Graphic Products Nelson Thornes
- Food Technology Foundations Eileen Chapman Collins ISBN - 13: 9780003294910
- KS3 Skills in Resistant Materials Peter Gale Heinemann publications.
- www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize offers useful practice and information.
All areas encompass research and design development and manufacture and evaluation.
| Year 7 | Topics include: Product Design – Automata. Focus on mechanisms and movement. Properties and working characteristics of wood. Health and safety and woodworking machinery and tools. Working in a team. Textiles – Selfie Cushion. Focus on Health and safety and correct use of hand and machine sewing. Product Design – Biomimicry Shelter. Focus on structures and development of an accurate scaled architectural model for a school shelter through the process of iterative design and development and modelling in Computer Aided Design. Food – Basic Cooking Skills. Focus on familiarising pupils on school kitchen health and safety and basic techniques to make nutritious meals. |
|---|---|
| Year 8 | Topics include: Product Design – Sustainable Holder. Focus on environmental and moral issues in design, health and safety and metal working machinery and tools. Textiles – Designer Bag. Focus on investigating materials and advanced surface application. Investigating industrial techniques and methods Product Design – Memphis Light. Focus on plastics. Health and safety and heat related machinery for manipulating and forming. Simple electronic circuit and soldering. Food – Staple Foods. Focus on preparing wholesome family meals and developing skills to include a balanced diet and nutritional healthy knowledge. |
| Year 9 | Topics include: Reinforcement of Year 7 and Year 8 skills. Design theory and individuality is encouraged in Year 9. Product Design – Art Deco plastic and metal. Focus on developing use of metals in conjunction with plastics through industrial finishes and processes incorporating CAD and laser cutting. Textiles – LEDC (Designing and making for a Less Economically Developed Country) Designing and manufacturing clothing using recycled materials for children around the world, predominantly Africa. Product Design – Alessi Clock. Food – Advanced cooking skills. Focus on pastry techniques and producing intricate solutions. |
GCSE Technology
Subjects available as GCSE options are Design and Technology, Art and Design Textiles (current year 11) and Hospitality and Catering Level 1 and 2 (current year 10).
Students are able to opt for more than one technology subject if they wish, although they must bear in mind that managing coursework deadlines in more than one technology subject will be very challenging.
| Qualification | GCSE Design and Technology |
|---|---|
| Board | AQA |
| Syllabus number | Exams from: June 2019 Specification code: 8552 |
| Website link | www.aqa.org.uk |
| Assessment details | 50% coursework, controlled assessment 50% terminal exam |
| Recommended coursebook | ISBN 978-1-5104-0112-9 AQA GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology |
| Recommended revision guides | AQA GCSE Design and Technology CPG books ISBN 978 1 78294 752 3 |
| Qualification | GCSE Art and Design: Textiles |
|---|---|
| Board | Eduqas |
| Syllabus number | C653QS |
| Website link | www.eduqas.co.uk |
| Assessment details | 100% coursework |
| Recommended revision guides | AQA GCSE Design and Technology Textiles Revision Guide CPG ISBN 978-1847623515 |
| Qualification | Hospitality and Catering Level 1 and 2 |
|---|---|
| Board | Eduqas |
| Syllabus number | 5569QA |
| Website link | http://www.eduqas.co.uk |
| Assessment details | 60% Coursework and 40% Exam |
| Recommended coursebook and revision guide | TBC |
At least one of technology rooms is open every lunchtime and every night after school for GCSE students who need to use the facilities to extend their work or need additional support. Some students are directed to attend these sessions as an early intervention strategy to prevent them from falling behind. The sessions are supervised but permission to attend is reserved for those who use lesson time to good effect.
