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D&T Links

  • Mr McCue's Resource Site
  • National Curriculum Levels for D&T
  • Presentation about D&T
  • Design and Tech
  • Technology Student

    • Design & Technology

    Aim

    To prepare pupils to participate in tomorrow's rapidly changing technologies. They learn to think and intervene creatively to improve quality of life. The subject calls for pupils to become autonomous and creative problem solvers, as individuals and members of a team. They must look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and effects. Through design and technology, all pupils can become discriminating and informed users of products and become innovators.D&T Picture

    Through a wide variety of exciting projects pupils will learn about: Resistant Materials (wood, metal and plastic), Textiles, Electronics and Systems and Control, Graphics and Food.

    Not only will they develop practical skills in these areas, they will learn how to research and investigate projects, develop design ideas, plan their work and evaluate. Design and Technology teaches students how to be become independent learners developing a wide range of practical and learning skills that will be useful to them throughout their education and life.

    D&T Picture

    Key Stage 3

    During KS3 students will experience all areas of the D & T department. In the final term of Year 9 students will be able to choose which area they would like to specialise in. We usually recommend that if a student has opted for GCSE Technology in Year 10 that they specialise in this area so that they can begin to develop skills knowledge and understanding.

    Pupils will produce practical work for each project. In most cases the school will provide basic materials. If student would like to take their work home they will be asked to contribute a small amount of the cost. Unfortunately we are unable to buy ingredients for Food lessons and therefore rely on students bringing in ingredients from home.

    Ks3 Resistant Materials

    The Steady Hand Game

    During year 7 pupils will learn the basic skills necessary to design and manufacture a steady hand game with a sporting theme to satisfy a design brief. The unit of work will allow pupils to develop their ideas from a given brief to designing using formal techniques, producing basic electronic circuits, and finally producing the game through manipulating metals and cutting different types of wood.

    Mechanical Toy

    D&T Picture

    During year 8 and year 9 pupils begin to develop their skills gained in year 7 by designing and making a prototype mechanical toy for a child.

    Pupils research the topic in great depth from user needs to mechanisms to assembly methods. The project allows them to also develop orthographical drawing techniques and template development prior to using enhanced manufacturing techniques to assemble their toys.

    Weather Vane

    At the end of year 9 pupils undertake the major KS3 project in their chosen option groups. The weather vane focuses mainly on practical skills as design skills will now be at a high level. The weather vane is purely a metal project allowing pupils to develop cutting skills using the hand tools, lathe, milling machine and drills to manufacture shapes in both steel and aluminium. The pupils also have the opportunity to develop thermal forming and fusing techniques using MIG welding and brazing facilities. The project also allows the pupils to see the aluminium casting process using our casting facilities.

    KS3 Textiles

    Year 7 Jazzy Hat Project

    Students will learn how to use basic sewing equipment including the sewing machine. They will learn about fabrics, how they are made and where they come from. They will use their new knowledge and skills to make a funky hat to wear.

    D&T Picture

    Year 8/9 Hold It! Project

    Students will build on skills learned in Year 7 by developing their understanding of surface decoration. They will experiment with tie-and dye, batik, and fabric paints. There will also be opportunity to develop skills in computer aided design (CAD) and manufacture (CAM). All these skills will then be used to develop a textile product such as a bag, pencil case or CD carrying case.

    Year 9 Kimono Project

    Students will develop design skills by producing a range of costume designs in a Japanese style. They will develop skills by learning how to make a garment and new decorative skills.

    Key Stage 4

    In years 10 and 11 students are able to choose to study one of the follow areas:

    Course requirements

    GCSE Food Technology

    GCSE Graphic Products

    GCSE Resistant Materials

    GCSE Textiles Technology

    Extra help

    All teaching staff within the department are running after school coursework classes for pupils to work on practical and folder work. Staff are flexible and pupils can arrange time for extra help on a weekly basis.

    Coursework requirements

    It is crucial for pupils to complete coursework to the best of their ability. It is worth 60% of the final grade. Coursework will be marked on a regular basis and feedback given to pupils. Pupils are encouraged to act on any feedback given to improve their grade. This can be done up until the final deadline.

    GCSE Food Technology - A4 presentation folder & develop a range of food products.

    GCSE Graphic Products - A3 presentation folder & a final product.

    GCSE Resistant Materials - A3 presentation folder & a final product.

    GCSE Textiles Technology - A3 presentation folder & a final product.