Design & Technology

CAD/CAM is part of the D&T carousel - six weeks with two hour-long lessons per week.

Year 7 & Year 8

Students will learn how to use the Techsoft 2D Design program in order to create accurate drawings that can be used to make items using CAM machines.  In Year 8 they will develop further knowledge of the tools used in the Techsoft 2D Design package, and how to create accurate 3 dimensional drawings. They will learn how to use 123 Design or Google SketchUp to achieve similar outcomes which can be created on the 3D printer.

How is the course assessed?

The Course will be assessed using the National Curriculum specification to give a grade and a level. Tasks are set that will ensure stretch and challenge for the most able students but that are also suited for those with less aptitude or experience in D&T.

There is an exam taken at the end of the year. This will enable students to demonstrate through writing and drawing, their knowledge and understanding of D&T.

KS3

Graphic Products is part of the D&T carousel - six weeks with two hour-long lessons per week.

KS3

Year 7 will learn

• To analyse the impact of plastics on the environment.
• Research existing brands and packaging for food products.
• To generate logo ideas – Sketching.
• To know how to create a project workbook using Google Slides.
• Using technical drawing skills to develop a 2D net into a 3D high-quality model, and create their response to single-use food packaging by developing a new net, logo and proposing a change of materials based on their research.

Year 8 will learn

• To research motivational cards for ages 12-20. 
• Learn how to generate primary research and analyse its feedback using graphs and text.
• To develop their own font in the style of graffiti.
• To explore card engineering and various pop-up mechanisms.
• To learn basic electronics skills to create a simple circuit.
• To learn how to render fonts to make them appear 3D.

They will combine all the above to create an electronic, pop-up card aimed at the teenage market.

Year 9 will learn:

• To create a foundation of drawing skills which will be revisited throughout the year.
• To use a variety of media to develop their own personal style.
• To understand how paper is made ( by hand and in industry) and the various components used to make it.
• To explore the different finishes that can be applied to paper and card.
• To understand the impact the paper-making industry has on the environment.
• To learn how to produce simple 1 & 2 point perspective drawings.
• To develop technical drawing skills using isometric, orthographic and oblique methods.
• Understand how 2D designs can be made into 3D models
• Learn how to generate primary research and analyse its feedback using graphs and text.
• Build on modelling skills and apply precision with the use of scalpels.
• How to evaluate the work and products of others in detail to inform their own designs.

They will then create a 3D response to a new shop-front of their choice.

KS4 - GCSE

The first year of the two year course deals with the students acquiring the underpinning skills that are essential to their success in both the written paper and the controlled assessment. The course is planned to ensure that they are taught the core theory for the exam paper as well as the practical skills needed to succeed in the Non-exam Assessment. Students design and make a graphic product using a range of different graphic materials and techniques; these will be developed in order to prepare them for the controlled assessment which is started towards the end of year 10.

The second year of the two year course is dominated by the Non Exam Assessment. Students are given a choice of up to three contextual challenges; from this they will identify a need, research their chosen area and then design, develop and make a prototype product. The majority of their time will be spent completing the non exam assessment under supervision. Exam preparation will occur twice, once in year 10 and again as a year 11 mock examination before the summer examination.

The structure has been designed to develop in learners the knowledge and understanding related to a range of hospitality and catering providers; how they operate and what they have to take into account to be successful.

There is the opportunity to learn about issues related to nutrition and food safety and how they affect successful hospitality and catering operations.

In this qualification, learners will also have the opportunity to develop some food preparation and cooking skills as well as transferable skills of problem solving, organisation and time management, planning and communication.

Through the two units, learners will gain an overview of the hospitality and catering industry and the type of job roles that may be available to assist them in making choices about progression.

Product Design is part of the D&T carousel - six weeks with two hour-long lessons per week.

KS3

Year 7

Students will learn how to shape and join mild steel to create a strong and attractive product - a hanging bracket. They will learn to use the pillar drill and how to braze as well as several basic metalwork tools. This will involve cutting, shaping, finishing and joining mild steel. Students will also analyse structures and write an article on a case study demonstrating their understanding on this topic.

Year 8

Students will build upon the learning and skills in year 7, developing knowledge of further product design materials. They will be learning about mechanisms, cams, basic anthropometrics and also the working properties of different timber and will make a sweet dispenser using man-made timber and other wood products as well as a range of equipment including the pillar drill and scroll saw.

Year 9 - Product Design

Students will further develop their knowledge of a range of materials in one design and make project and one technical build project. These projects incorporate electronics including the use of CAD CAM, working drawings and more complex processes .  The practical outcomes will be a small lamp, inspired by architectural influence and a tablet stand. These will all be made from a range of different materials.

KS4 - GCSE Design & Technology (Product Design)

The first year of the two year course deals with the students acquiring the underpinning skills that are essential to their success in both the written paper and the controlled assessment. The course is carefully planned to ensure that they are taught the core theory for the exam paper as well as the practical skills needed to succeed in the Non Exam Assessment. Students design and make a graphic product using a range of different graphic materials and techniques; these will be developed in order to prepare them for the controlled assessment which is started towards the end of year 10.

The second year of the two year course is dominated by the Non Exam Assessment. Students are given a choice of up to three contextual challenges; from this they will identify a need, research their chosen area and then design, develop and make a prototype product. The majority of their time will be spent completing the non exam assessment under supervision. Exam preparation will occur twice, once in year 10 and again as a year 11 mock examination before the summer examination.

Textile Technology is part of the D&T carousel - six weeks with two hour-long lessons per week.

KS3

Year 7

Students will learn how to use a sewing machine safely. They will work with basic small equipment and fabric paints and pens.

Students will make a cushion cover created from two panels which are decorated using a range of different techniques such as appliqué, batik and tie dye. The cushion cover has an envelope back to enable a cushion pad to be inserted easily.

Year 8

Students will build upon the learning and skills in year 7, developing knowledge of a range of decorative techniques with which to enhance textile fabrics. They will also develop skills in designing and annotating their ideas and increase their understanding of anthropometrics and ergonomic design.

Students will make a cushion cover created from four panels which are decorated using a range of different techniques such as appliqué, batik, fabric paints and pens, hand embroidery and tie dye. The cushion cover has an envelope back to enable a cushion pad to be inserted easily.

Year 9

Students may opt for Textiles in Year 9.  There is the equivalent of one lesson per week throughout the year and leads to the GCSE in Textiles.

Students will further develop their knowledge of decorative techniques, learning a wide range of skills in embellishment and construction. They will explore a range of sort furnishings, designing for a specific client. In addition, students will learn how to use a commercial paper pattern to create a garment.

Students will design and make an item of soft furnishing, using a range of different decorative skills including batik, beading, CAM, free machine embroidery, molà work, quilting and transfer printing. 

KS4

The first year of the two year course deals with the students acquiring the underpinning skills that are essential to their success in both the written paper and the controlled assessment. The course is carefully planned to ensure that they are taught the core theory for the exam paper as well as the practical skills needed to succeed in the Non Exam Assessment. Students design and make a graphic product using a range of different graphic materials and techniques; these will be developed in order to prepare them for the controlled assessment which is started towards the end of year 10.

The second year of the two year course is dominated by the Non Exam Assessment. Students are given a choice of up to three contextual challenges; from this they will identify a need, research their chosen area and then design, develop and make a prototype product. The majority of their time will be spent completing the non exam assessment under supervision. Exam preparation will occur twice, once in year 10 and once again as a year 11 mock examination before the summer examination.