Design & Technology

What is Design and Technology?

It is the creative application of knowledge, skills and understanding to the design and making of good quality products in order to fulfil particular requirements.

Our beliefs:

• Design and Technology should have a central place in our school curriculum.
• Design and Technology should be fun.
• Children’s technological understanding is of paramount importance
• Pupils should be taught to use and apply their knowledge, skills and understanding to undertake practical tasks, to solve real problems.
• Technological activities should be meaningful for the children.
• All staff have an important role in the technological education of our students.
• The development of children’s skills and knowledge in Design and Technology should be given high priority.
• The development of technological vocabulary and language skills are very important.

Students learning of Design and Technology is assisted by the provision of stimulating, well organized working environment.

 

Who's Who

 

 

What the Students say....

‘I’ve enjoyed learning how to make pizza toast.’  Thomas Frankland – Year 7

‘I have enjoyed making all the food – practical and tasting – in Food technology this half term.’  Amelia Hunt – Year 7

'I like in Food Tech all the practical lessons we do and we don’t have to write a lot!’   Thomas Welford – Year 8

 

The Curriculum

Key Stage 3

Students follow the National Curriculum.  In each year the students are assessed on 6 pieces of written work covering all the required elements of Design and  Technology. They are also assessed on their making capabilities. Students will also be assessed on one Independent Learning Project in Years 7 and 8.

Year 7 Projects

Licence To Cook, The Scone Zone, CandleHolder, Pop Up 

Year 8 Projects 

Taking The Biscuit , Keep it Contained, The Bistro, Coffee Shop, Pull Along Toy 

Year 9 Projects

The Slice Of Life, You Are What You Eat, I Pod/MP3, Jewellery 

 

Key Stage 4

GCSE Food Technology

Content

Ingredients – preparation & function, Nutrients, Sensory Analysis, Food additives & labelling, Food Hygiene and Safety, Food Manufacturing.

Assessment

60% of the final grade will be achieved by completing coursework during their final year. 40% examination.

Career Opportunities

Food Product Development, Food Photography, Food Microbiologist, Dietician, Packaging Designer, Food Scientist or Journalist

 

GCSE Product Design

Content

During Year 10 students will learn a range of skills to produce new and innovative products. They will also learn about different materials, industrial processes, techniques and the work of other designers.

During Year 11 students will be expected to design and make a product as part of their GCSE controlled task assignment. Successful projects could include: Jewellery, small items of furniture such as CD racks and console holders, coffee tables; textile items such as designer bags, dresses, scarves, cushions; prototype mobile phones, MP3 players with packaging.

Assessment

60% of the final grade will be achieved by completing a controlled task assignment during their final year.  (Approximately 40% of the task will be researching and designing and 20% manufacturing)  The remaining 40% of the grade will be achieved by sitting an examination.

Career Opportunities

Furniture Designer, Fashion Designer, Jewellery Designer, Graphic Designer, Product and Industrial Designer, Engineer, Joiner, Electrical Engineer and Textile Designer. 

  

GCSE Child Development

Content

Unit 1: Parenthood:  The family. Planning for a family. Preparing for the baby. Provision of a safe environment.

Unit 2: Pregnancy:  Reproduction. Pre-conceptual care. Pregnancy. Preparation for the birth. Labour and birth. Newborn baby. Post natal care.

Unit 3: Diet, Health and Care of the Child:  A healthy diet. Feeding a baby. Weaning. Feeding the young child. Food related problems. Child care. Child health.

Unit 4: Development of the Child:  Development. Physical, Intellectual, Emotional and Social development. Learning and play.

Unit 5:  Support for the Parent and Child:  Types of support available. Child care provision. Educational and development provision.

Assessment

Unit 1:              40% exam. 1 hour 30 minutes.

Unit 2:              20% coursework – research task

Unit 3:  40% coursework – child study on a child aged 5 years or under for approximately 6 months. 

Career Opportunities

Any job opportunity working with children, children’s nurse, social worker, speech therapist, play worker, nursery nurse, midwife, health visitor.

 

BTEC Level 2 Art & Design

Content

Students will research into design briefs and use the work of designers and artists to develop ideas. They will also investigate a range of 2D and 3D techniques and processes and produce samples. The course aims to relate to contexts that are directly relevant to employment situations, thereby enhancing employability within the design sector. A six ‘unit’ course is studied with titles that range from ‘Exploring Graphic Design,’ ‘Exploring 3D Design’ to ‘Realising Design Ideas’.

Assessment

6 Units of school based assessed work are undertaken over two years. There is no examination.

Qualification 

Edexcel National Certificate in Design Level 2 (6 units) – equivalent to 4 GCSE’s A*- C

Career Opportunities

Graphic Designer, Architect, 3D Designer, Interior Designer, Web Page Designer, Product Designer, Printer, Window Dresser, Shop Front Designer, Fashion and Textile Designer, Photographer

 

Key Stage 5

BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Art and Design

This is one year course initially which students study to achieve a qualification equivalent to ONE A level. This is an ideal course for students who are unsure of what field of specialism they would like to pursue in the future. Students are then able to continue into Year 13 to achieve a BTEC Level 3 Diploma, equivalent to TWO A Levels.

Assessment

Students study FOUR mandatory units and TWO further units of their choice dependant on their choice of specialism.