Welcome to the Design Technology Department.

 

The Design Technology Department works to create gender equal, interesting and educational projects for pupils in all years that give them social, moral and environmental considerations and teaches them how to apply those considerations when designing.

Each area of Design Technology; Food, Textiles, Systems and Control, Graphics/CAD/CAM and Resistant Materials utilises the skills that the pupils use across the curriculum to support the subject work and to reinforce what is learned across the school.

Numeracy is accessed across the department in measuring, dimensioning and weighing, literacy and oracy is accessed in the pupils design annotation and evaluating and ICT is accessed in each year group where appropriate to demonstrate to the pupils' the use of our newly equipped PC suite with Design Technology specific software.

Our vision as a Department is to continue to develop and progress with Technological advances in order to educate the pupils with up to date knowledge of the world of Design and Manufacture.

The aims of the department are to:

  • Provide opportunities for pupils to develop technological skills and understanding through the study of the materials and techniques in the areas of compliant materials, resistant materials and related technologies.
  • Provide the resources, facilities and environment for effective teaching and learning in Design Technology.
  • Ensure that pupils reach their full potential and obtain maximum benefit from the study of Design Technology.
  • Provide equality of opportunity for all pupils through balanced, structured but flexible Schemes of Work.
  • Foster awareness, understanding and expertise in those areas of creative thinking which can be expressed and developed through investigation and research, designing, planning, making and evaluating.
  • Promote aesthetic and creative awareness through the principles and practices of Design Technology.
  • Maximise opportunities for pupils to communicate ideas, solve problems, develop and realise quality products, systems and environment in answer to need.
  • Promote a greater awareness of Technology in a wide range of contexts including home, school, industry, society and its environment encouraging attitudes of responsibility and consideration of the consequences of Technology within those contexts.

Our objective is to teach skills and techniques that enable pupil to:

  • manage resources, time and materials effectively,
  • communicate their ideas, opinions and decisions effectively in oral, graphical and written forms,
  • apply information technology to communicate and control, in the solution of Design Technology,
  • develop and apply practical and manipulative dexterity when working with an awareness of their own safety and the safety of others,
  • develop and apply the confidence to solve problems as individuals or working as a part of a team,
  • form opinions, make informed decisions and apply those decisions to problem solving,
  • Evaluate the designs and technological activities of others and apply the same techniques to their own work.

 

Key Stage 3

Throughout each year at Key Stage 3 the pupils undertake projects in 4 disciplines of the subject; Textiles Technology, Food Technology, Electronics and/or Graphics and Resistant Materials.

This to enable the pupils to access a breadth of skills and knowledge across the subject.

The topics are undertaken in a carousel system allowing all pupils to enjoy each of the projects each year.

Year 7 projects are currently as follows:

  • Textiles Technology – Pencil case project.
  • Food Technology – Healthy eating and hygiene project.
  • Electronics – Steady hand game project.
  • Resistant Materials – Wooden note holder project.

 

Year 8 projects are currently as follows:

  • Textiles Technology – Customising T-Shirts project.
  • Food Technology – Cake making techniques project.
  • Electronics and Graphics – Jitter cube project.
  • Resistant Materials – Money box project.

 

Year 9 projects are currently are as follows:

  • Textiles Technology – Cushion/Dream Room project.
  • Food Technology – World Cuisine project.
  • Graphics – CD Design project.
  • Resistant Materials – Trinket box project.

Each of the projects is designed to be gender neutral and accessible by pupils of all levels of ability.

In Key Stage 3 we have vocabulary packs that are provided to help the pupils structure their writing and utilise and develop their use of key vocabulary.

The projects follow the same Design Process structure; in that, in each project (with the exception of Food Technology*) the pupils will be given a brief to analyse, they will asked to research imagery to inspire their designs, they will design 3 possible solutions one of which they will evaluate and then make. To conclude the project the pupils will complete an evaluation of their product based on their initial design proposal.

*In Food Technology, the pupils will learn initially about safe and hygienic kitchen practice, methods of preparing, making and presenting dishes, they will evaluate their food products based on taste, texture and appearance.

Throughout Key Stage 3, in each specialist area the pupils are developing their skill levels by building on previous knowledge and understanding through some practice of learned skills but with added challenge each year.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, we currently offer the following courses:

WJEC GCSE Textiles Technology.

For pupils with an interest in Textiles and Fashion, a dual unit course with an internally assessed portfolio and practical element and also an externally assessed examination.

Throughout the course pupils will have the opportunity to: Complete practical based projects; improve skills within Textiles fabrication; learn about fashion and textile trends and iconic design; reflect on the work of designers and use designer influences in their own work and develop safe and efficient practice.

Our students enjoy decorative machining and free machine embroidery. They will be encouraged to create original designs using a variety of resource materials.

This 2 year GCSE course is designed to have both practical and technical foci. There will be elements of garment making and this will be based on the foundation of skill development, experimentation and research. Pupils are encouraged to be creative and innovative in their designs and outcomes.

WJEC GCSE Catering.

The current GCSE Catering specification offers a unique opportunity for candidates to develop their knowledge and extend their skills within hospitality and catering in a vocational context. It is a suitable qualification for those who want a broad background in this area and for those who wish to progress to further education. It will offer valuable preparation for those entering the world of work.

The specification encourages the investigation and study of hospitality and catering in a variety of contexts and uses a range of assessment techniques to enable the candidate to respond through practical and investigative work.

WJEC Level 1-2 vocational qualification in Engineering.

The course particularly aims itself at pupils that are technically strong but not necessarily artistically minded. As opposed to the Product Design GCSE which can be an option for graphic designers.

This course is equivalent to a GCSE but is classed a vocational course.

There are 3 units:

Unit 1 (internally assessed, externally moderated) is an engineering design task, focussing on the method which a product can be made. The pupils are given a prescribed brief, usually by the exam board, in which they will research, design and possibly model an outcome that suits its purpose. This is where the pupils can show their technical and graphical skills.

Unit 2 (internally assessed, externally moderated) is a practical skills based unit where the pupils are, again, given a board-prescribed task and they must use the specification given to produce the produce. Pupils, here, can demonstrate their practical ability by following the manufacturing specification.

Unit 3 is an externally assessed 90 minute examination. For this the pupils will be prepared through the skills and understanding they receive in everyday lessons but also through the specific revision lessons used to deliver the course syllabus.

AQA GCSE Product Design.

The GCSE Product Design course is a broad path into designing and manufacturing for those have both artistic and creative flair and have the practical ability to work safely and independently with the correct tools and equipment.

The course has 2 Units which are submitted at the end of Year 11.

Unit 1 is the externally assessed 2 hour examination, which is based on Product Design and manufacture much of which will be covered during the pupils’ everyday practice within the subject.

Unit 2 is the internally assessed, externally moderated coursework (Controlled Assessment Task) element. In this unit, pupils will follow the design process to research, design, model, make and evaluate a product based on one of the many options provided by the exam board.

The preparation for completing these units will be done throughout the first 2 terms in Year 10 and then the pupils will sit a practice examination at the end of year 10 and will also start their Controlled Assessment Task (Coursework) at the beginning of the Summer Term.