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Design & Technology

All students will study Design and Technology until the end of Year 9. At the end of Year 9 students can choose one of three subjects to follow at GCSE level: Graphics, Textiles or Food.

 

 

 

Key Stage 3

Within D&T students gain the opportunity to develop their skills by designing and making products for themselves and target markets within 4 subject areas: Textiles, Food, Graphic Products and Digital Graphics.

The department prides itself on developing the use of new technologies; smart materials, laser cutting, 3-D printing and the latest Adobe Photoshop software. Computer aided design and manufacture are central to activities the students participate in.

The aim is to develop individuals who can solve problems, think independently and create products that are well designed and beautifully made. Students are taught in groups of approximately 24; they work both individually and co-operatively.

D&T works on a carousel system whereby students rotate around four subjects during each year.

Year 7

Graphics: Students design and make a phone stand using 2-D design and the laser cutter.

Food: Students develop basic food preparation and knife skills and learn how to use different part of the cooker. Through their interaction with ingredients they learn about seasonality and healthy eating.

Textiles: Students design and make a hat in conjunction with the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Digital Graphics: Students develop basic photography skills and photo manipulation using Lightroom and Photoshop. They use these digital skills to design a film poster.

Year 8

Graphics: Students design and make a hand held game and its packaging.

Food: Students develop skills in handling meat and making a variety of main meals from around the world. Through their interaction with ingredients they develop their understanding of food safety and healthy eating.

Textiles: Students design and make a soft sculptures/ cushion based on a food or drink product.

Digital Graphics: Students develop their photo manipulation and design skills using Photoshop. They develop their understanding of typography and hierarchy and use these skills to design the front cover for a fashion magazine.

Year 9

Graphics: Students design a logo for a shop and make a gift bag using their own packaging net design.

Food: Students develop a knowledge of more advanced cooking techniques such as breadmaking and pastry. They learn key terms to enhance their understanding of how ingredients interact with each other and extend their knowledge of nutrients.

Textiles: Students respond to fashion trends and develop construction techniques to design a t-shirt and make a pair of shorts.

Digital Graphics: Students extend their design skills through developing their knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Assessment

At the beginning of Key Stage 3, all students complete a focused practical task. This is a 5 lesson mini module based on designing and making a box for a breakfast cereal bar. The purpose of this task is to enable us to gauge students’ capability in the subject and to set realistic targets for their first year in D&T.

Each rotation has a set of subject specific objectives and assessment criteria. Students are given an assessment booklet and are made fully aware of the assessment criteria at the start of each module. This information is then recorded and used for periodic reporting of progress via grade cards. 

There are five main assessment areas in D&T:

  • Applying knowledge & understanding of materials & techniques
  • Generating, developing, communicating & modelling ideas
  • Designing
  • Planning, organising & making
  • Evaluating their own designs

The students are not always monitored on all five areas. Each module has three specific areas of focus, which are made clear to the students at the start of the project and subject area.

Key Stage 4

Current GCSE courses are all through the AQA syllabus and are Food Preparation and Nutrition, Art & Design Graphic Communication and Textiles. For more information see: http://web.aqa.org.uk/

All of these courses have a non-examination assessment and a final written examination.

The Courses

Food Preparation and Nutrition

The new Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE will help students to develop a greater understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. They’ll also learn about food from around the world, through the study of British and international culinary traditions as well as developing an understanding of where food comes from (food provenance) and the challenges surrounding food security. They’ll master culinary skills and appreciate the science behind food and cooking. This is an exciting and creative course which will allow students to demonstrate practical skills and make connections between theory and practice.

The course has five topics:

  • Food, nutrition and health
  • Food science
  • Food safety
  • Food choice
  • Food provenance

Assessment:

  • 50% final written exam- 1hr 45 mins
    • Section A : multiple choice
    • Section B: five longer answer questions
  • 50% non-exam assessment (NEA)
    • Food Investigation - 15%
    • Food Preparation Assessment – 35%

Transferrable skills students will learn:

  • Analysis and evaluation
  • Communication
  • Working independently
  • Time management
  • Organisation

Graphics

GCSE Graphics enables students to design and make products with creativity and originality, using a range of graphic and modelling materials.

Students will be enthused and challenged by the range of practical activities possible. They will be encouraged to learn to use, understand and apply colour and design through images, to develop spatial concepts, and to understand graphic materials and their manipulation. They will design and make products using graphic media and new technologies to prepare them for the world of work.

Assessment:

  • 60% portfolio assessment: Consists of at least one extended collection of work which demonstrates that students can sustain work from initial starting points to the realisation of intentions.
  • 40% externally set assignment (includes 10 hours of focused study): Students are required to produce a personal response and will be given a choice of 7 different starting points. They must select and respond to one starting point from their chosen title and show evidence of all four assessment objectives.

Textiles

GCSE Textiles helps students develop their creativity through a series of designing and making projects.  The practical work enables students to specialise in fashion and clothing, costume, textiles or interior design.  Topics covered include fabrics and their properties and uses, construction and design.

Assessment:

  • 60% portfolio assessment: Consists of at least one extended collection of work, which demonstrates that students can sustain work from initial starting points to the realisation of intentions.
  • 40% externally set assignment (includes 10 hours of focused study): Students are required to produce a personal response and will be given a choice of seven different starting points. They must select and respond to one starting point from their chosen title and show evidence of all four assessment objectives.