Design & Technology
Why do we study Design & Technology?
Our capability in Design and Technology develops best through a planned programme of focused learning units. We develop design and making skills, and extend our students' knowledge and understanding simultaneously. Some units of work might be more about the development of skills or the acquisition of knowledge whilst other units are more about the application of these skills and knowledge. A varied programme of learning builds a knowledge rich curriculum focusing on and providing variety, pace and engagement for students.
By applying their love of learning to ever-increasing contexts, we enable our students to demonstrate the development of their depth of learning and mastery of skills.
Lessons and learning in design and technology are designed around a carousel rotation and should not become a predictable formula for students but something that constantly changes pace, focus, and direction in much the same way that this happens in the real world of design. We ensure that the curriculum constantly challenges and excites students with rich and varied experiences which stimulate challenge, creativity and innovative responses.
Meet the team
- Mrs Johnson- Head of Department, Teacher of DT, Engineering & Textiles
- Mr Rutland - Head of Department, Teacher of DT and Engineering & Food Preparation and Nutrition
- Ms King - Teacher of DT and Food Preparation and Nutrition
- Ms Markwell - Teacher of Food Preparation and Nutrition
- Ms Crooks - Teacher of DT and Textile
- Mr Ludlow - DT Technician
- - DT Technician
Engineering Design
Course: OCR Engineering Design (Cambridge National)
This qualification will enable you to learn about the process of engineering design, and understand how it can be used to design effective solutions for a given design brief. You will develop the ability to communicate your design ideas through the use of sketches and engineering drawings and compute raided design. You will also be able to evaluate the design of a product, through the disassembly of existing products or the use of modelling for new designs. These skills will help you progress onto further study in the engineering design and development sector.
You will learn about the type of information needed to develop a design brief and specification, and the manufacturing and other considerations that can influence a design. You will develop knowledge of the types of drawing used in engineering to communicate designs, as well as the techniques used to evaluate design ideas and outcomes, including modelling methods.
Meet the team
- Mrs Johnson - Head of Design and Technology
- Miss King - Teacher of Design and Technology
Resources
You will study the key aspects of engineering design, and have the opportunity to apply what you learn through a number of practical experiences. This will involve you studying three mandatory units:
R038: Principles of engineering design
This is assessed by an exam. In this unit you will learn about the design process, and all of the stages that are involved. Topics include:
- Designing processes
- Designing requirements
- Communicating design outcomes
Evaluating design ideas
R039: Communicating designs
This is assessed by a set assignment. In this unit you will learn how to use sketching and engineering drawings to communicate your ideas. Topics include:
- Manual production of freehand sketches
- Manual production of engineering drawings
- Use of computer aided design (CAD)
R040: Design, evaluation and modelling
This is assessed by a set assignment. In this unit you will learn how to create and test models of your design. Topics include:
- Product evaluation
- Modelling design ideas
Homework
In KS4 students are given extended homework such as exam questions, reading from the revision guide, and mind map/revision card creation.
Enrichment Opportunities in Design & Technology
In our DT department, we make an effort to enrich our students' experiences. For example, there has been a combined Food and DT trip to New York.
Engineering Level 1 / 2 Vocational
Course: WJEC Level 1 / 2 Engineering
The Level 1 / 2 Engineering specification provides learners with a more practical alternative to GCSE study.
The qualification introduces students to the various strands available within the engineering field, providing learners with the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and understanding through tasks set in realistic work-related contexts.
Engineering Level 1 / 2 Award (IVQ) is split into units and the assessment is both internally and externally.
The Award consists of three mandatory units. Internally assessed work is completed within school and adopts the principles of controlled assessment.
Assessment: Student’s coursework and exam are assessed at the end of year 11; the work is externally moderated by the teachers and external moderators.
Content: We currently offer the WJEC/Eduqas Level 1/ Level 2 Award in Engineering in Key Stage 4.
The qualification is built from discrete units and each unit has an applied purpose which acts as a focus for the learning. It is also the means by which learners are enthused, engaged and motivated to study engineering.
The applied purpose provides the opportunity for authentic work-related learning and it will require learners to consider how the use and application of their learning impacts on individuals, employers, society and the environment. Learners will be able to learn in such a way that they develop:
- skills required for independent learning and development;
- a range of generic and transferable skills;
- the ability to solve problems;
- the skills of project-based research, development and presentation;
- the fundamental ability to work alongside other professionals, in a professional environment;
- the ability to apply learning in vocational contexts.
This qualification provides learners with an engaging and exciting platform for learning whilst indirect access to real work experiences will help them to develop a greater understanding of how the programme relates to the wider world of work. This provides levels of inspiration and expectation for the learners that will help them focus on potential progression pathways within the Engineering and other related sectors.
The curriculum is delivered in a way that links and builds on other KS4 subjects and continues to develop previous subject learning, preparing them for the internal assessment and the synoptic external assessment. All topics are cross referenced to examples and experiences in industry to enable them to build and reinforce the learning process.
Meet the team
- Mrs Johnson - Head of Design and Technology
- Mr Rutland - Head of Design and Technology
- Miss King - Teacher of Design and Technology
Resources
All specialist materials are provided.
Students need their own scientific calculator, pencil, ruler and pen.
Homework
At Key Stage 3 students are set 2 pieces of homework per rotation.
At GCSE students are set homework tasks to complete alongside regular keyword checks.
Google classroom is used to set homework.
Enrichment Opportunities in Engineering
KS4:
We have visiting engineers and companies who lead workshops with our students in school. Students have the opportunity to ask questions and to meet the engineers in person.
Food Prep & Nutrition GCSE
Why do I study Food Prep & Nutrition?
The Food Prep & Nutrition course looks at the many processes involved in producing the foods we eat and gives pupils opportunities to combine their creativity and designing skills with a knowledge and understanding of food and the practical application of scientific principles. It allows pupils to develop the important transferable skills of time management and the organisation required for successful further study, helping them to make more effective and efficient use of their time.
Some of the topics covered during the course include the nutritional and functional properties of food, healthy eating, practical food preparation skills, food provenance, the effects of food processing and cooking, and food science.
Throughout the course there is a strong emphasis on practical work which takes a variety of forms and includes practical food preparation, food science experiments and investigations. Weekly practical lessons allow pupils to develop their time management and organisational skills alongside their practical food preparation skills, a skill they can take on for life.
Meet the team
- Mr Rutland - Head of Design and Technology
- Miss Markwell - Teacher Food Preparation and Nutrition
- Miss King - Teacher Food Preparation and Nutrition
Course: GCSE Eduqas Food Preparation and Nutrition
Students complete two units during the course, these include:
Component 1: Principles of Food Preparation and Nutrition - Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes - 50% of qualification.
This component will consist of two sections both containing compulsory questions and will assess the six areas of content as listed in the specified GCSE content.
- Section A: questions based on stimulus material.
- Section B: structured, short and extended response questions to assess content related to food preparation and nutrition.
Component 2: Food Preparation and Nutrition in Action - Non-examination assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated - 50% of qualification.
- Assessment 1: The Food Investigation Assessment
A scientific food investigation which will assess the learner's knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to scientific principles underlying the preparation and cooking of food. - Assessment 2: The Food Preparation Assessment
Prepare, cook and present a menu which assesses the learner’s knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to the planning, preparation, cooking and presentation of food.
GCSE Programme of Study
Year 10
Term 1: Nutrition
Term 2: Diet and Good Health
Term 3: Food Science
Term 4: Where Food Comes From
Term 5: Factors Affecting Food Choice
Term 6: Food Commodities
Year 11
Term 1: Food Commodities and Revision
Term 2, 3 and 4: NEA2
Term 5: Revision
Resources
Eduqas GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition: Student Book by Alison Clough-Halstead, Fiona Dowling, Victoria Ellis, Jayne Hill, Bethan Jones.
CGP Grade 9-1 GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition - WJEC Eduqas Revision Guide
Homework
In KS4, students are given extended homework such as exam questions, reading from the revision guide and mind map/revision card creation.
There is also an expectation for students to weigh and measure all ingredients in preparation for practical lessons.
Enrichment Opportunities in Food Prep & Nutrition
In our Food department, we make an effort to enrich our students experiences. For example, there has been a combined Food and DT trip to New York and we have had past students in to speak such as Robbie Hedges who featured on the Great British Bake Off.
Textiles Design GCSE
Why do I study Textiles Design?
It is designed to encourage learners to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding along with creativity and imagination. Learners show this through their responses to a range of visual and written stimuli. This specification provides an opportunity for learners to take a personal interest in why Art and Design matters and to be inspired and changed by studying an exciting and stimulating course of study. Learners have the opportunity to gain insight into the practices of individuals, organisations and creative and cultural industries.
Meet the team
- Mrs Johnson - Head of Design & Technology
Course: OCR Art and Design: Textiles Design
Exam weighting: 40% Examination 60% Coursework
Assessment: Student’s coursework and 10-hour practical exam are assessed at the end of Year 11; the work is externally moderated by OCR.
Coursework Content: For the coursework component students will begin with a series of workshops to develop skills and build confidence in working with a range of media. Our first project in Year 10 has an Alice in Wonderland theme.
Students are required to choose one or more area(s) of study:
• Constructed textiles
• Digital textiles
• Dyed fabrics
• Printed fabrics
• Fashion design
• Installed textiles
• Soft furnishings
• Stitched and/or embellished textiles
Work is not limited to one area of study.
One extended project will be created over the course of Year 10 and 11 in which students will develop their own ideas in response to a theme in a chosen media. Students are encouraged to work individually with their own ideas and selected media which reflect their skills. The exam is set by the exam board; students will create a project in response to the starting points given. Students will create a project over a period of four months. This will culminate in a 10-hour exam in which students create a final piece for their exam projects.
10-Hour Practical Exam: The OCR brief will give learners a choice of five themes, each with a choice of written and/or visual starting points or stimuli. From this paper, learners are expected to choose one option for which they will generate an appropriate personal response of one or more artefact(s)/product(s)/personal outcome(s) within a 10-hour supervised time period.
Skills:
Learners will be expected to demonstrate skills as defined in the Art and Design Core Content section of this specification in the context of their chosen areas of art, craft and design. In addition, learners will be required to demonstrate skills relevant to two or more of their chosen specification titles in the following:
develop their ideas through investigations informed by selecting and critically analysing sources.
• apply an understanding of relevant art, craft and design practices in the creative and cultural industries to their work.
• refine their art, craft and design ideas as work progresses through recording, researching, selecting, editing and presenting artefact(s)/product(s)/personal outcome(s).
• record their ideas, observations, insights and independent judgements, in ways that are appropriate to the Art, Craft and Design title, such as recording through drawing and creating images with mixed media.
• use appropriate specialist vocabulary through either visual communication or written annotation, or both, appropriate to art, craft and design.
• use visual language critically as appropriate to their own creative intentions and chosen titles and area(s) of study.
• realise personal intentions in Art, Craft and Design, through the sustained application of art, craft and design processes.
Resources
All specialist materials are provided.
We would love students to have drawing pencils, watercolours or other relevant supplies/stationary specific to their own tastes/styles of presentation if possible but we can provide these if not.
Homework at KS4
At GCSE students are set homework tasks to complete weekly. As students work individually, students are directed to set homework tasks on an individual basis.
Google classroom is used to set homework.
Enrichment Opportunities in Textiles Design
Trips out to museums and exhibitions to develop skills and refinement.