Head of Department: Mr S Woodhall
Teacher of Design and Technology Miss S Clayton Spencer
Design and technology drives and inspires creativity amongst students.
Students become confident users of techniques, tools and materials and critical users of technology.
A high proportion of teaching is through practical work in excellent facilities.
Courses
All students at Key stage 3 (years 7-8) follow four nine week rotations, each focusing on a different material. They develop the skills needed for the different elements of the Design Process and are assessed on these in particular.
Year 7
FOOD TECHNOLOGY
Students follow a basic course to learn skills and knowledge regarding food and equipment followed by a design and make brief to make a pizza. Students cook every week and are given demonstrations.
TEXTILES
Students use batik and a range of decorative techniques, including hand and machine sewing. They design and make a set of juggling pyramids.
ELECTRONICS
“nightlight”
Students use Crocodile Technology software to learn basic electronics theory, and create an automatic light circuit that comes on when it comes dark. They solder components, test the circuit and create a casing for the circuit to be housed in.
GRAPHICS (4th rotation only)
Students learn to use CAD software , as well as building up traditional skills to communicate design ideas.
PRODUCT DESIGN
Mechanical Toys, students design and make a mechanical toy using a variety of mechanisms to create particular motions.
Year 8
FOOD TECHNOLOGY
In year 8, Students are taught how to use the electrical labour saving equipment and produce a wide range of products. Students cook every week and are given demonstrations. The design and make task is to produce a new pasta dish for teenagers which includes a home-made sauce.
TEXTILES
Students extend their sewing skills and understanding of pattern construction. They design and make an angry bird toy.
PRODUCT DESIGN 1
Memphis Clocks
Students design and make a working clock, using the Memphis Design Movement as inspiration.
PRODUCT DESIGN 2
Students design and make a rubber band powered marble target game.
GCSE Courses in Technology
These include: Food Technology, Textiles Technology and Product Design
- Some students begin these courses in Year 9 but follow the same format and timing as Year 10 students
- Other students begin these courses in Year 10
PRODUCT DESIGN
Year 9/10
Students complete a range of design studies and competitions aimed at building on their engineering and design skills. These include materials and structures, manufacturing, the design process and issues, ergonomics and anthropometrics.
At Easter students begin their coursework projects; this is a 45 hour project of their own choice. The summer and autumn terms are spent researching and designing their products, while the winter term consists of manufacture and evaluation.
Year 10/11
During the autumn term students finalise their designs ready for production.
The winter term consists of manufacture and evaluation of their coursework design projects. From Easter an intensive revision session occurs in preparation for the exam in June.
Course Outline
Exam Board AQA
Examination 40% 2 hour exam paper
Coursework 60% 45 hour design and manufacture task in class.
Students will be entered for either the higher or foundation tier. Assessment is based on the coursework component (60%) and a 2 hour final examination (40%).
Coursework: Coursework is internally assessed and externally moderated. It consists of both a practical and written element.
Exam: Students will be tested on their knowledge and understanding of the design process with regard to product design.
Students will be expected to pay for the materials they use during practical work. They should also purchase an A3 design folder.
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY: TEXTILES
Year 9/10
Students develop an understanding of the fashion industry and the design process. They investigate decorative techniques, fabrics and finishes, tools and equipment through practical work.
Year 10/11
Students complete their coursework folder and the related practical work to an individual design brief based upon their personal interests and the experience gained in year 10.
Course Outline
Exam Board AQA
Examination 40% 2 hour exam paper
Coursework 60% 45 hour design and make task.
Students will be entered for either the higher or foundation tier. Assessment is based on the coursework component (60%) and a 2 hour final examination (40%).
Coursework: Coursework is internally assessed and externally moderated. It consists of both a practical and written element.
Exam: Students will be tested on their knowledge and understanding of the design process with regard to the fashion industry. A preparation sheet is issued prior to the GCSE examination in year 11. It will give advance notice of the design context for the exam paper.
NB: Students will be expected to provide some of the materials for the practical element of this course. They should also purchase an A3 design folder.
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY: FOOD
Content
Year 9/10
Students carry out practical work including designing a dessert, enrobed products, different types of pastry, designing with yeast mixtures, sweet making, meals for different groups in society, sauces, cook-chill products and products using raising agents. They research the theory linked to their practical work including: sensory evaluation, the function of ingredients, nutrition and healthy eating, developing new products, planning the production of high quality and safe products, the use of additives in food, the effect of heat on nutrients, raising agents, food labelling, packaging and current environmental issues. Students also gain an understanding of large scale food production in industry.
During the summer term they begin their coursework which involves the designing and making of a food product of their own choice from AQA exam questions.
Year 10/11
Coursework continues into year 11 and involves the production of a coursework folder produced using ICT and a large amount of supporting practical work.
Course Outline
Exam Board AQA
Examination 40% 2 hour exam paper
Coursework 60% 45 hour design and make task.
Assessment is based on the coursework component (60%) and a 2 hour final examination (40%).
Coursework: Coursework is internally assessed and externally moderated. It consists of both a practical and written element.
Exam: Students will be tested on their knowledge and understanding of the design process with regard to the food industry. A preparation sheet is issued prior to the GCSE examination in year 11. It will give advance notice of the design context for Question 1 of the exam paper.
Students will be expected to pay for the ingredients they use during practical work. They should also purchase an A3 design folder.
A level Courses in Technology
PRODUCT DESIGN
AS Course Outline
Exam Board Edexcel
Coursework 3 separate coursework tasks (unit 1)
Examination 1.5 hour exam paper (unit 2)
Assessment is based on the coursework component (60%) and a 1.5 hour final examination (40%).
Unit 1 Portfolio of creative skills
Students learn 3D modelling software. Coursework consists of 3 separate tasks including a product analysis and subsequent 3D CAD model, a product design and development task, and a making task where students are given an engineering drawing to follow. All 3 tasks look at different products.
Unit 2 Design and technology in practice
Students study materials and manufacturing techniques that build upon their GCSE experiences.
A2 Course Outline
Exam Board Edexcel
Examination 2 hour exam paper (unit 3)
Coursework 3 separate coursework tasks (unit 4)
Assessment is based on the coursework component (60%) and a 1.5 hour final examination (40%).
Unit 3 Designing for the future
A 2 hour exam set and marked by Edexcel
Unit 4 Commercial Design
Students design and make a product. This is evidenced in their design folder with photographic evidence of them making the product and of the final product itself.