Design & Technology

The intent of the Design & Technology Curriculum

This course allows students to continue to study Design and Technology in an holistic way, developing the skills, understanding and experiences to become effective product designers. The course combines the theoretical understanding of a wide range of technological areas including materials and their properties, emerging technologies, mechanical and electrical systems and sustainability, alongside practical application of solving problems through designing and making products using materials technology.

How is the Design & Technology Curriculum implemented?

• A wide range of mini projects – developing understanding and high level making skills using materials (wood, metals and plastics), components and mechanical and electrical systems.
• Development of problem solving capabilities through iterative designing.
• Designing skills including sketching, modelling and Computer-aided Design (2D and 3D CAD)
• Development of practical skills using traditional hand and machine tools, alongside new Computer-aided Manufacturing processes such as 3D printing.
• Investigating the commercial manufacture of products
• Investigation of the social, cultural and environmental issues related to product design and manufacture

Curriculum Sequencing Plan - Design Technology

The impact of the Design & Technology Curriculum at the end of Key Stage 4

How is it examined?

Paper 1 (50%)

This unit will be assessed through a 2 hour written exam at the end of the course. It will assess your knowledge and understanding of three key areas.

A) Core technical principles – this will focus on a range of technical issues relating to design and technology including modern and smart materials, energy, electrical and mechanical systems and material properties.

B) Specialist Technical Principles – this will focus on materials technology and associated issues related to the use of woods, metals, plastics and composites.

C) Designing and making principles – this will focus on the principles and skills of designing as a problem solving activity.

Non-Exam Assessment (50%)

This unit will involve you setting your own design challenge chosen from themes set by the exam board in June of Year 10. You will need to research into the design problem, develop and model design ideas, plan and manufacture your product and test it. The work will be presented as an A3 portfolio and final 3D prototype. Whilst you can use any suitable materials, the focus of the course will be developing skills in the use of materials technology (wood, metal, plastics etc…). The unit will be assessed by your teacher and moderated by the exam board.

What qualification will I get? What could it lead to?

• AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Design and Technology

Further study could be in product design, applied arts, architecture, engineering (various), theatre design, jewellery design, furniture design, transport design, building trades etc.

Career directions could include careers in product design, applied arts, architecture, engineering (various), theatre design, jewellery design, furniture design, transport design, building trades etc.