Design Technology

Year 7

Resistant Materials: aims to teach the foundation of material manipulation and fabrication, while developing students’ understanding of tools and the design processes. Students will design and produce a 3D printed chair.

Year 8

Graphics: aims to provide students with a good grounding in presentational drawing including sketching, and the application of colour; formal drawing in orthographic, isometric and perspective.

Structures: students apply their understanding of forces and structures when designing and making a bridge.

Resistant Materials: aims to introduce students to CAD-CAM industrial practice through the production of an LED light.

Sustainability: introduces students to the topic of sustainability in relation to energy consumption, materials, technological change and our need to protect the planet for future generations.

Year 9

Year 9 students study DT for approximately nine weeks (27 lessons) on a rotation with Food Preparation and Nutrition.

Resistant Materials: students explore needs, wants and opportunities in the context of designing for clients, through their creation of a 3D printed Lego model.

Graphics: students investigate a range of graphic products, notably to increase their understanding of the purpose of packaging through the design and manufacture of chocolate box packaging.

Innovative Design: students will develop evaluative techniques, and advance their knowledge and understanding of technological products.

National curriculum

Year 10

The following subjects are offered as option choices at GCSE under the remit of Design Technology:

• Design Technology – Graphics pathway
• Design Technology – Resistant Materials pathway

The linear format of each of these specifications means that the students cannot enter the exam at the end of Year 10, but instead will be entered at the end of Year 11. However, the theory context will be covered while students are undertaking their foundational projects throughout Year 10. This knowledge and understanding will be tested periodically throughout the course. Throughout this year, students acquire the underpinning skills that are essential to their success in both the written paper and the controlled assessment (NEA). The underpinning skills are: practical; theoretical knowledge; designing; modelling and ICT based. Theoretical work covered includes: properties of materials, sustainable issues in design, methods of manufacture, health and safety and consumer rights legislation.

Year 11

This course comprises two separate elements: the controlled assessment (NEA) and the terminal exam paper, both worth 50%. Students demonstrate the need for the products in question and develop their product designs using the design process. It requires good graphical communication, and the ability to keep to deadlines. Students are required to: analyse and research; produce a clear specification for the targeted user group; generate ideas and synthesise them; create and test different products; produce a programme to construct the products and fully evaluate the solutions against the design constraints and project brief. The controlled assessments will be taken from numerous themes supplied by the examination board.

To help students with their organisation, a Personal Check List (PLC) will be issued to them, a copy of which can be found HERE.

Exam board: AQA

Course specification

Course content

This two-year course requires students to produce and submit one portfolio, which will demonstrate their creativity and flair when investigating, designing and making a product. Students will undertake a commercial 'design and make' project, which applies the knowledge and understanding of the subject. It will need to be sustainable and take into account environmental issues.

To help students manage their time during the NEA a Personal Check List (PLC) will be issued to them, a copy of which can be found HERE.

Students will be expected to develop knowledge of a wide range of resistant materials, graphical media, textiles, smart materials and manufacturing processes, as well as knowledge of past designers. This is to be applied in their project. ICT will be integral to this course, as will the ability to communicate graphically and by the written word. Students will be able to recognise design needs and develop an understanding of how current global issues, including integrating technology, impact on today’s world. Students will have the confidence to innovate and produce creative design solutions as they develop their own design brief with a client/end user.

Course specification