Design Technology

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

At the core of Design Technology, is creativity and imagination. Students learn to design and make products that solve genuine, relevant problems within different contexts whilst considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. To do this effectively, they will acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on additional disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. 

In year 7 students follow a foundation course developing design skills and the safe use of tools & machines.

This is realized through designing and making a Key Hanger or Bookend, using softwood to design and create a brick hero.

They complete the course, designing and making a Graphic Product in the form of a 3D street scene.

If time allows they could also design a make a Desk Tidy using recycled materials.
In year 8 students develop their skills further and learn to mark out and make accurate joints through a creative design project.

They use MDF to create a storage box, having to mark out and cut accurately to complete a successful outcome.

They will also design & make a unique key fob using molten pewter, having first created a mold from suitable materials.

To investigate further Graphic Products & Design, they will design and make a graphic product in the form of a gift bag to contain their storage box and key fob.

In year 9 students investigate designers and design houses. Using the Italian design house Alessi  they design a clock using acrylic as the base material. As their clock develops they are able to incorporate computer aided design through the use of our Stikka vinyl cutter machine. Students create a diarama, use graphic design and graphics materials. They research famous architects as their influence.

In Design and Technology pupils combine practical and technological skills with creative thinking to design and make products and systems that meet human needs.

They learn to use current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments.

They learn to think creatively and intervene to improve the quality of life, solving problems as individuals and members of a team.

Students are continuously assessed through both their design and practical work, teacher observations and discussions, self and peer assessment.  Progress is assessed on their designing and practical skills and evaluation of their own products and the work of others during each project completed.

Teacher Assessment: Verbal feedback is given to students throughout the creative and practical process and after completion of each product.

Self-Assessment: Students are also asked to assess their own work, identifying areas for improvement and target setting by themselves for future lessons.    This is an opportunity for them to demonstrate an understanding of health and safety issue, the properties of materials and how tools are used to shape and form new products.

Peer Assessment:  Students assess the work of others, both in terms of designers as well as in the work of others during the final evaluation process. They seek and give opinions relating to aesthetics/ergonomics and quality of finish.

Parents/Carers can help by encouraging an interest in design, both modern and historical. Visits to museums and galleries would be beneficial, as well as keeping up with technological advances in new products and materials. Encouraging students to help with practical tasks around the home as well as investigating how things are made through disassembly of old products, watching relevant programmes and the use of our Product Design enrichment activities.

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Overview of course

Programme of study YEAR 10

Programme of study YEAR 11