Overview

Design and Technology helps prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn of the importance of wider historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on Design and Technology. There are plenty of opportunities to work creatively when designing and making, and to apply technical and practical expertise using the great facilities in our workshop. These include a large laser cutter, a 3D printer and CNC milling machine. 


Curriculum

Key Stage 3

Year 7 projects introduce pupils to health and safety in the workshop and are designed to build their confidence and knowledge of materials and processes. Pupils develop research skills and knowledge of design principles, making and evaluation. They are introduced to laser cutting, engraving and laminating, and learn some principles and techniques of forming and joining materials.

In Year 8, students build on their previous knowledge and will be tasked with a project that allows them to apply their making skills with a lot more scope for creativity and varied outcomes. They will also gain an understanding of electronic components and skills such as soldering. 

In Year 9, students gain an understanding of architecture and are introduced to 3D CAD software as well as more traditional modelling techniques to communicate their design ideas. 

Key Stage 4

GCSE Design and Technology enables students to understand and apply interactive design processes through which they explore, create and evaluate a range of outcomes. It enables students to use creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes (together with evidence of modelling to develop and prove product concept and function) that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. GCSE Design and Technology also provides opportunities for students to apply knowledge from other disciplines, including mathematics, science, art and design, computing and the humanities.

GCSE assessment (a 2 hour written paper and a non-examined assessment (NEA), each worth 50% of the final mark) covers: 

  • Core technical principles
  • Specialist technical principles
  • Designing and making principles
  • A substantial design and make task selected from a range of briefs set by the examination board with the following assessment criteria:
  • Identifying and investigating design possibilities
  • Producing a design brief and specification
  • Generating design ideas
  • Developing design ideas
  • Realising design ideas
  • Analysing & evaluating

Extra-Curricular Design and Technology

There are a wide range of extra-curricular Design and Technology opportunities that students can be supported to enter. These include:

  • Young Enterprise Tenner Challenge
  • Young Enterprise Company Programme
  • VEX Robotics
  • Design Museum Student Design Challenge and Design Ventura

Further information

Exam Board: AQA Design and Technology (8552)