Design Technology
 Introduction to Department |
The Design and Technology department consists of 4 experienced teachers and one full time technician who all provide a supportive environment in which expertise is shared so that development and innovation can take place.
The department is well organised, enthusiastic and committed to the teaching of Design and Technology. We believe that it is a unique subject which requires and promotes the combined use of practical and academic skills by use of a wide range of differing materials.
Technology is a subject that has the capacity to provide a wide range of skills that are invaluable in our increasingly technological society and through the depth and breath of its work it has an unrivalled capacity to bridge other curriculum subjects in addition to providing a real life context in which most skills can be taught. Regardless of whether our students intend to pursue technology as a subject beyond GCSE level it is hoped that the communication, manufacturing, lateral thinking and planning skills that they have developed will have a significant and positive impact on all subsequent work.
| Members of Staff List |
Ms V Smith -Programme Director
Mr J Lander
Mr K Smith
Ms J Henry
Mrs K Chadwick
| The Curriculum |
Key stage 3:
Pupils in years 7-9 follow the National Curriculum for Design and Technology. Each pupil is individually assessed at the end of each project using National Curriculum guidelines. Pupils in KS3 have one Design and Technology lesson per week. Throughout the academic year, pupils are taught a range of subject areas which include working with materials, electronics, computer aided design & manufacture (CAD/CAM) and graphics.
Across Key Stage 3 pupils will experience a wide range of technological activities in the form of “Design and Make Tasks” (DMT’s). These tasks facilitate a range of teaching and learning styles, within a variety of learning environments.
The tables below give an overview of the activities studied during each academic year, the assessment focus and learning environments.
Year 7
| Term |
Subject area |
Design & Make Task |
Assessment Focus |
Learning environment |
1
Sept -Dec
|
Resistant Materials
|
Jigsaw
Pen and Pad Holder
Key ring |
Making
|
Workshop
CAD/CAM area
Computer Suite
|
2
Jan-April
|
Electronics
|
Funny Face Project
|
Planning
|
Workshop
|
3
May-July
|
Graphics
|
Packaging Design for the Future
|
Designing & Development
and Research
|
Classroom
|
Year 8
| Term |
Subject area |
Design & Make Task |
Assessment Focus |
Learning environment |
1
Sept -Dec
|
Electronics
|
Desktop Fan
|
Planning
|
Workshop
|
2
Jan-April
|
CAD/CAM
|
Slotted Animal
|
Designing & Development
|
CAD/CAM suite
|
3
May-July
|
Graphics
|
Board Game
|
Testing & Evaluation
|
Workshop
ICT suite
|
Year 9
| Term |
Subject area |
Design & Make Task |
Assessment Focus |
Learning environment |
1
Sept -Dec
|
Mechanisms
|
Fun Grabber
|
Making
|
Workshop
|
2
Jan-April
|
Electronics
|
Solar Beast
|
Research & Analysis
|
CAD/CAM suite
Workshop
|
3
May-July
|
Product Design GCSE
|
Key Stage 4:
At key stage 4 the Design and Technology department currently offer AQA GCSE Product Design. Pupils will study Product Design for 3 hours a week.
GCSE product design is an exciting course with an emphasis on the designing of products and their manufacture. Pupils will learn how to develop a product of their own from design brief to realisation, focusing on CAD and CAM, electronics, graphics and working with a wide range of materials, building upon skills learnt in KS3 design and technology.
Product Design Gallery
Year 10:
During year 10 pupils are required to undertake three skills based mini projects. These included:
- CAD/CAM Torch Project. This module focused on the use of 2D Design (CAD), plastics manufacturing and 3D drawing techniques.
- Container Project. This module focused on the use of workshop machinery, health and safety, timber manufacturing and joining of materials.
- Key Skills. This module was intended to develop pupil’s 3D modelling and product designing skills. All pupils have undertaken various activities to develop their skills in designing commercial products for consumers and consumer markets in preparation for the G.C.S.E coursework major project.
Year 11:
During year 11 pupils are required to undertake one major coursework project of their choice which follows a design process from initial research, designing and developing, modelling and testing, planning, making and evaluating their product. At the end of the course all pupils will have a completed model or product with an accompanying design portfolio.
All pupils’ coursework and exam work is marked in line with exam board requirements.
- 60% marks for coursework
- 40% marks for exam
| Resources in Design & Technology |
Through the provision of a well-resourced and well-maintained facility with a friendly, happy and very safe working environment, it is the department's aim to provide a worthwhile technology experience where every pupil can reach their full potential.
The department currently consists of two well equipped workshops and two CAD/CAM classrooms, in which each consists of a suite of computers, interactive whiteboard, Roland CAM and a variety of educational software, including Techsoft 2D Design, Solidworks 3D, Pro/Desktop, Crocodile Clips along with a wide range of CDROMS.
At key stage 4 all pupils have the opportunity to purchase a full set of revision guides, A3 design portfolio and a range of equipment required for the course.
| Extra Curricular Provision |
The Design and Technology department offer a weekly DT Club open to all pupils in Key Stage 3, which is entirely practical. Competitions, both in school, regional and national are entered regularly, including the First League LEGO Challenge, Urbis Manchester and Rochdale CLC
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