WELCOME to the Design and Technology Dept.

 

Design and Technology is of value and importance to the pupils as it calls for the immediate and practical use of knowledge and skills acquired from the core subjects. There are cross-curricular links with Art, ICT, Mathematics and Science.

The aims of the Department are to help pupils:

• Develop an understanding of the design process

• Develop an understanding of the needs of consumers

• Develop skills in finding a solution to a design problem

• Develop a knowledge of the materials and processes used in making a product

• Develop practical skills in making products in a range of materials

• Develop time management skills

 

Design and Technology is taught in a range of dedicated workshops by specialist teachers, all of whom work as a team to offer a diverse range of skills.

 

Design and Technology is compulsory for Key Stage 3. In years 7 and 8, the pupils follow a carousel system which involves one term of:

• Resistant Materials

• Food Technology

• Textiles

 

In year 9, the pupils again follow a carousel, this time altered to 9 weeks for each area and including another element, Graphic Products. The reason for this addition is to introduce this subject which is offered, along with the other technology topics at GCSE.

Food Technology is an integral part of the technology carousel from year 7 to 9. The subject is taught in a specialist room, which is well equipped with a range of cooking equipment.

Food technology is offered as an option at GCSE, where, within given guidelines, the pupils are allowed to choose the type of food product that they will design and make.

In year 7, the pupils are introduced to the basics principles of food technology.

The pupils are set design and make tasks with the main focus on safety whilst becoming familiar with the use of the equipment, they are also required to produce a design folder which serves a record of the work that they have produced and includes an evaluation of the dishes that they have made.

In year 7, the pupils are introduced to the basics principles of food technology.

The pupils are set design and make tasks with the main focus on safety whilst becoming familiar with the use of the equipment, they are also required to produce a design folder which serves a record of the work that they have produced and includes an evaluation of the dishes that they have made.

In year 8, the pupils are introduced to further cooking techniques, and are introduced to healthy eating and the basic theory of the nutritional value of different foods. The pupils are once again required to produce a design folder

There is again an emphasis on safety whilst using the equipment.

In year 9, the pupils learn more technical cooking techniques, and are introduced to foods from different cultures

There is again an emphasis on the safe use of the tools and equipment.

In year 10 the pupils learn more theory and are then required to commence to produce a design portfolio, along with the photographic evidence of the food that they have cooked and evaluated as their coursework. This accounts for 60% of the GCSE. The other 40% being a final exam.

In year 11 the pupils complete the coursework started in year 10 and then follow a revision programme, leading ultimately to the final exam in June.

 

 

Textiles are an integral part of the technology carousel from year 7 to 9.The subject is taught in a specialist room, which is well equipped with a range of hand tools and equipment. Textiles are offered as an option at GCSE, where, within given guidelines, the pupils are allowed to choose the type of garment that they will design and make.

 

The pupils are required to produce a design portfolio along with a garment, as their coursework. This accounts for 60% of the GCSE. The other 40% being a final exam.

 

In year 7, the pupils are introduced to the basics principles of textiles and the facilities available. The pupils are set design and make tasks with the main focus on safety, whilst becoming familiar with the use of the equipment.

 

The product produced is a fabric pencil case

 

In year 8, the pupils are introduced to further textile techniques, including fabric printing and appliqué. The pupils are once again required to produce a design folder

 

There is again an emphasis on the safe use of the tools and equipment.

 

The product produced is a fabric wall hanging

 

In year 9, the pupils are introduced to further textile techniques, including fabric printing and appliqué. The pupils are once again required to produce a design folder

 

There is again an emphasis on the safe use of the tools and equipment.

 

The product produced is a Tee Shirt

 

At GCSE, the pupils learn more theory and techniques then produce their coursework. In year 11 the pupils sit a mock exam in early December, and then follow a revision programme, leading ultimately to the final exam in June.

 

Resistant Materials is an integral part of the technology carousel from year 7 to 9.

 

The subject is taught in a specialist room, which is well equipped with a range of hand tools and equipment.

 

In year 7, the pupils are introduced to the basics principles of resistant materials and the facilities available in the workshop. The pupils are set design and make tasks with the main focus on safety in the workshop, whilst becoming familiar with the use of the tools and equipment.

 

The products made are: a Toy truck, a Jigsaw puzzle and a Box for the puzzle. This involves the use of a pillar drill, a belt sander and an   electrical fret saw, wood files and sand paper.

 

In year 8, the pupils are introduced to the theory of mechanisms and making a product with wooden joints.

 

The pupils are set the design and make task to produce a toy with a CAM mechanism, the design focus being on the character and the background.

 

In year 9, the pupils continue to learn about the theory of the subject and to develop their skills in making a product with wooden joints.

 

The pupils are set the design and make task to produce a jewellery box with a removable or hinged lid.

 

Resistant Materials is offered as an option at GCSE, where, within given guidelines, the pupils are allowed to choose the type of product that they will design and make. The pupils are required to produce a design portfolio along with a model, as their coursework. This accounts for 60% of the GCSE. The other 40% being a final exam. At GCSE, the pupils learn more theory and techniques then produce their coursework. In year 11 the pupils sit a mock exam in early December, and then follow a revision programme, leading ultimately to the final exam in June.

 

Graphic Products is taught in a computer room, which has access to a range of graphical software, including the photo editing package Photoshop, and the Web design packages Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks.

 

In year 9, the pupils are introduced to the process of designing and making a graphical product. The pupils are set two design and make tasks. The first to produce a short comic / magazine for a specific audience, followed by a task to produce a DVD cover / CD cover. The design focus being on producing for a gap within an existing market.

 

Graphic Products is offered as an option at GCSE, where, within given guidelines, the pupils are allowed to choose the type of graphic product that they will design and make. The pupils are required to produce a design portfolio along with the graphical models, as their coursework. This accounts for 60% of the GCSE. The other 40% being a final exam.

 

In year 10, the pupils commence the year by entering into a national competition for the Fair Trade organisation. Through this, they begin to develop their design skills and a knowledge of using the computer software that they will use for their designing and making a graphical product for their own coursework, which they commence during year 10.

In year 11, the pupils complete the coursework that they commenced in year 10, they sit a mock exam in early December, and then follow a revision programme, leading ultimately to the final exam in June.