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Design & Technology
Design and Technology plays an important role in developing students into creative thinkers who can independently appreciate the value of each stage of the design process when problem solving and create design solutions that are realistic and innovative.
We have designed the sequencing of schemes of work to optimise learning and ensure that students gain the best knowledge, by building on key skills every year to create a natural progression in Design and Technology.
Key Stage 3
At Key stage 3 students are introduced to range of SOW that equip them to develop key skills that enable them to progress further and build their confidence in design and working in practical activity in the DT workshop environment. Students are also introduced to a wide range of Design movements that influence modern day design.
What will students learn?
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
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Plastics: My Acrylic keyring Design Brief: Students will design and make a keyring for a person of their choice. The finished piece will be made from acrylic and will be colourful and fun. Vinyl can be used enhance the design, but product must be safe and eye-catching while working to the specification given.
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Metal: Pewter Pendant/Keyring Design Brief: Students will design and make a keyring for a client. The finished piece will be made from pewter and will be cast in moulds from their final design. Acrylic may be used enhance the design with colour, but product must be safe and eye-catching while working to the specification given.
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Electronics: Hi Vis Badge Design Brief: Pupils are asked to design and make a product for a target market. This product must incorporate a flashing LED light to be worn in dark/low light conditions. The finished product can be made from acrylic or textiles, and must meet the success criteria of the specification given.
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How will students be assessed?
Feedback and Assessment at KS3 are ongoing and often takes place during the lesson through verbal feedback by the class teacher
Key Stage 4
Design technology is an option at Key Stage 4 and pupils follow the AQA Design and Technology specification.
GCSE Design and Technology will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise.
Our course allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. They will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.
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Year 10 |
Year 11 |
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Term 1 Paper & Board Mechanisms/Linkages & Levers
Term 2 Electronics/Wood/Acrylic Model Boxes
Term 3 NEA Practice Contextual Challenge “Children’s Toy for The Natural History Museum” Students will be given this project in preparation for next year’s coursework. This counts as 60% of overall grade in Year 11.
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NEA Contextual Challenge -TBC (60%)
Theory and Intervention for Section A, B & C of exam (40%)
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How is the course assessed?
The GCSE course is assessed through one written exam paper worth 50% of the total marks. This exam is 2 hours long and assesses the following areas:
- Core technical principles
- Specialist technical principles
- Designing and making principles
The non-exam assessment (NEA) is also worth 50% of the course and is undertaken of 30-35 hours in class. This is a substantial design and make task where students have to demonstrate they have met these assessment criteria:
o Identifying and investigating design possibilities
o Producing a design brief and specification
o Generating design ideas
o Developing design ideas
o Realising design ideas
o Analysing & evaluating
Contextual challenges to be released AQA on 1 June in the year prior to the submission of the NEA
Students will produce a prototype and a portfolio of evidence
Work will be marked by teachers and moderated by AQA