Design Technology

Year 7 - Design and Technology

What are the key features of the programmes of study?

Students learn about all aspects of the design process from generating and modelling innovative ideas, to making and evaluating products and considering the work of professional designers. At Key Stage 3, they develop their knowledge, skills and understanding through a range of design & make projects. By the end of Key Stage 3 (Year 9), all students will have developed a range of skills in each of the Design & Technology areas, Food Technology, Engineering, Graphic Products, Textiles and Product Design.

What will my child study in Year 7?

Graphical skills, 3D drawing & CAD
CAD/CAM project - making a maze
Workshop skills - boat project
Textiles - pencil / phone case
Structures Project
In addition to the Design technology carousel, students will learn food technology every week. This will compass a range of cooking skills, a range of equipment and focus on healthy eating/nutrition.

Students will be taught a demonstration and cook the recipe the following lesson. They can take the dish home to enjoy with their families. 

What homework and enrichment opportunities will my child have?

We set an average of one homework in each area every two weeks.

How is my child assessed?

Students are assessed against a series of standards related to potential GCSE grades. This happens at the end of each project. Interim reports are produced three times a year. Home learning is also graded.

How are the groups organised?

Groups are all mixed ability.

What equipment is needed?

We do ask for a contribution towards the cost of Design and Technology materials in KS3 other than in Food Technology where students pay for ingredients for practical lessons via Parent Pay. In return, students can keep any practical work that they make.

Year 8 - Design & Technology
What are the key features of the programmes of study?
Students learn about all aspects of the design process from generating and modelling innovative ideas, to making and evaluating products and considering the work of professional designers. At Key Stage 3, they develop their knowledge, skills and understanding through a range of design & make projects. By the end of Key Stage 3 (Year 9), all students will have developed a range of skills in each of the Design & Technology areas, Food Technology, Engineering, Graphic Products and Product Design.

What will my child study in Year 8?

Students are taught modules as part of a carousel system in a range of technology areas: Engineering, Graphic Products, Textiles, Product Design and Food Technology. 3hrs per fortnight for 1/5 of the year.

Mechanical / linkage toy
Candle Holder
Engineering Drawing
Food projects

What homework and enrichment opportunities will my child have?

We set an average of one homework in each area every two weeks within the carousel.

How is my child assessed?

Students are assessed against a series of standards related to potential GCSE grades. This happens at the end of each Technology module. They are awarded an effort grade and given a written target to encourage smooth transition and progress between Technology areas. Interim reports are produced three times a year. Home learning is also graded.
How are the groups organised?

Groups are all mixed ability.

What equipment is needed?

We do ask for a contribution towards the cost of Design and Technology materials in KS3 other than in Food Technology where students pay for ingredients for practical lessons via Parent Pay. In return, students can keep any practical work that they make.

Year 9 - Design & Technology
What are the key features of the programmes of study?
Students learn about all aspects of the design process from generating and modelling innovative ideas, to making and evaluating products and considering the work of professional designers. At Key Stage 3, they develop their knowledge, skills and understanding through a range of design & make projects. By the end of Key Stage 3 (Year 9), all students will have developed a range of skills in each of the Design & Technology areas, Food Technology, Engineering, Graphic Products, Textiles and Product Design.

What will my child study in Year 9?

Students opt for 3 out of Food, Graphics, Product design, Engineering: 

Designing and making a mobile phone prototype & packaging
Night lights / clock 
Technical Drawing & Spinning top
Food Projects

What homework and enrichment opportunities will my child have?

We set an average of one homework in each area every two weeks within the carousel.

How is my child assessed?

Students are assessed against a series of standards related to potential GCSE grades. This happens at the end of each Technology module. They are awarded an effort grade and given a written target to encourage smooth transition and progress between Technology areas. Interim reports are produced three times a year. Home learning is also graded.

How are the groups organised?

Groups are all mixed ability.

What equipment is needed?

We do ask for a contribution towards the cost of Design and Technology materials in KS3 other than in Food Technology where students pay for ingredients for practical lessons via Parent Pay. In return, students can keep any practical work that they make.

3D design (GCSE GRAPHICS FOCUS)
Examination Board: AQA 8205

What is the course about?
This is an exciting, creative and successful course, which has value in future career choices. Students will investigate contexts relating to the designing and making of products and models in a range of themes including Interior Design, Graphic Design, Architectural, Product & Packaging Design. They will also be introduced to concepts such as designing for a purpose, product analysis, sustainability and evaluating. They will look at a range of designers, design companies & artists considering how they have influenced our world, taking inspiration from their ideas.  The course provides activities, which require students to communicate creative ideas and solve design problems with a practical outcome.

 • Architectural design

 • Sculpture 

• Product design 

• Interior design

 • Environmental/landscape/garden design

 • Exhibition design

 • Designs for theatre, film and television.

 They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas. 

What skills and ideas will I learn?

● Research skills, looking at client needs and how to influence people through the quality of design.

● How to think creatively and produce solutions to design problems.

● You will learn about all the materials, processes, and techniques used in Graphics and general 3D design including working with a range of Materials, Computer Aided Design skills & using a variety of media & processes.

● Planning the production of 2D and 3D prototypes and models to demonstrate the design in a variety of ways, using a range of skills; materials and evaluating the final outcome.

How is the course assessed?

A two-unit course:

Component 1: 60% coursework portfolio

Component 2: 40% exam piece. This will be a response to a brief given by the exam board. All the designing & preparation will be done in lessons with a 2-day practical exam at the end.

What will the course allow me to progress to in the future?

This provides a solid base for any future creative design career, for example in Graphic Design, Interior Design, Architecture, Product Design, Theatre/Stage Set Design or Packaging Design.

 It could also lead to an advertising/marketing or technological based course and any career in these fields. It will be an ideal stepping-stone to an A-Level in 3D design, which is a very successful course, thoroughly equipping students for degrees in Architecture, Interior Design and other design-based courses.

3D Design (Product Design)
Exam Board: AQA 8205

What is the course about?
This qualification is designed for learners with an interest in Product Design. It will enable pupils to work with a variety of different materials such as wood, metal and plastics. Pupils will be required to design, prototype, model and make products with a consumer in mind, making form and function work together. 

What skills and ideas will I learn?

Learners will be required to demonstrate skills in the following:

develop ideas through investigations informed by selecting and critically analysing sources 
apply an understanding of relevant Product Design practices in the creative and cultural industries to their work 
refine their ideas as work progresses through researching, selecting, analysing, constructing and presenting artefact(s)/product(s)/personal outcome(s) 
record their ideas, observations, insights and independent judgements, in ways that are appropriate to Product Design, such as cutting and constructing material in three-dimensions 
use appropriate specialist vocabulary through either visual communication or written annotation, or both, within Product Design 
use visual language critically as appropriate to their own creative intentions and chosen area(s) of Product Design through effective and safe use of media, materials, techniques, processes, technologies 
use drawing skills for different needs and purposes, appropriate to the area(s) of study used. Drawing may take the form of maquette, scale model(s) and computer-aided design using appropriate media and materials 
realise personal intentions in Product Design, through the sustained application of the three-dimensional design process. Learners are required to know and understand how sources inspire the development of their ideas.
Reference should be made to the following: 
the work and approaches of product designers from contemporary and/or historical contexts, periods, societies and cultures 
contemporary and/or historical environments, situations or issues 
other relevant sources researched by the learner in their chosen area(s) of product design 
the ways in which meanings, ideas and intentions can be communicated through visual and tactile language, using formal elements, including colour, line, form, tone, texture 
the characteristics, properties and effects of using different media, materials, techniques and processes, and the ways in which they can be used in relation to
learners’ own creative intentions and chosen area(s) of product design. 
the different purposes, intentions and functions of product design in a variety of contexts and as appropriate to learners’ own work. 

How is the course assessed?

A two-unit course:

Component 1: 60% coursework portfolio

Component 2: 40% exam piece. This will be a response to a brief given by the exam board. All the designing & preparation will be done in lessons with a 2-day practical exam at the end.