Design & Technology

KS3 Curriculum Vision 

Key Stage 3 Vision:

In Year 7 Design Technology, students will embark on an introductory journey into the world of design and craftsmanship, focusing on practical skills and safety. In Term A, the year begins with a strong emphasis on health and safety awareness. Students will be introduced to the various equipment used in the workshop and learn the importance of using these tools safely.

Following the safety induction, students will engage in two creative projects. The first project involves designing, creating, and reviewing name plaques with their initials on a backboard, fostering an understanding of basic design principles and craftsmanship. The second project focuses on constructing complex lolly-stick structures, which will be tested for aesthetics, strength, and durability.

In Term B, students will undertake a jigsaw project. They will design, create, and review their jigsaws, planning their development in workbooks. This project will teach them how to transform an image into a puzzle, enhancing their problem-solving and fine motor skills.

In Year 8 Design Technology, students will engage in a variety of hands-on projects, developing practical skills and fostering creativity. In Term A, students will begin with a baseline assessment to introduce them to the equipment and emphasise the importance of safety. Following this, they will embark on two design projects: creating a stationary sorter from timber and a glasses or sunglasses holder. In each project, students will design, create, and review their work, gaining valuable experience in working with materials and understanding design principles.

In Term B, the focus shifts to working with plastics as students design, create, and review a keyring project. They will plan their development in workbooks, creating an image and cutting it into keyring shapes. This project will enhance their skills in working with plastics and provide a platform for creative expression.

In Year 9 Design Technology, students will engage in two hands-on, creative projects over two terms, gaining valuable design and manufacturing skills. In Term A, students will focus on designing, creating, and reviewing pewter keyrings, and learning mould-making and casting techniques. This project will enhance their understanding of material properties and manufacturing processes while fostering creativity and precision.

In Term B, students will design, create, and review acrylic products using CAD and laser cutting. This project will develop their skills in computer-aided design and modern manufacturing techniques, allowing them to produce intricate, professional-quality products.

Throughout these projects, students will learn to think critically, solve problems, and express their creativity through tangible forms. This curriculum provides a solid foundation in design and production, preparing students for further studies in design technology and related fields. By the end of the year, students will have gained practical experience and confidence in their ability to bring creative ideas to life.

 

What your child will learn 

Year 7

Term 1a: 

Health and Safety Awareness:

  • Students will be introduced to the equipment that we will use and understand how important safety is in using these.

Projects (Design, Create, Review):

  • Initial plaque Students will design create and review name plaques with their initials on a backboard.
  • Lollystick structures – Students will design, create, and review complex lollystick structures which will be tested for their aesthetic, strength, and durability.

Term 1b:

Project JIGSAW (Design, Create, Review):

  • Students will design, create, and review a jigsaw project. Here, students will plan their development in their workbooks. They will look at how this can be achieved by creating an image and cutting this up into jigsaw shapes.

 

Year 8

Term 1a:

Baseline Assessment-

  • Students will be introduced to the equipment that we will use and understand how important safety is in using these.

Projects (Design, Create, Review):

  • Stationary sorter, Students will design create and review stationary sorters (timber).
  • Glasses/sunglasses holder – Students will design, create, and review their sunglasses holder.

Term 1b:

Project Keyrings (plastics) (Design, Create, Review):

  • Students will design, create and review a keyring project. Here, students will plan their development in their workbooks. They will look at how this can be achieved by creating an image and cutting this up into keyring shapes.

 

Year 9

Term 1a:

Pewter Keyrings (Design, Create, Review):

Students will design, create, and review pewter keyrings, learning mold-making and casting techniques.

Term 1b:

Project: Laser-Cut Acrylic Projects (Design, Create, Review):

Students will design, create, and review acrylic products using CAD and laser cutting.

 

Help your child extend their knowledge 


For each half-term there is a Knowledge Expert Sheet which outlines the essential knowledge that all students in Year 7, 8 and 9 need to know.
 

KS3 Technology and Design - BBC Bitesize

Design & Technology lessons for Key Stage 3 students - Oak National Academy (thenational.academy)

Students demonstrate their depth of knowledge by completing their Knowledge Expert Books.

KS3 Recommended Reading  

KS4 Curriculum Vision 

Key Stage 4 Vision:

In Year 10 Design Technology, students will build a robust foundation on core and specialist principles, preparing them for practical application and assessment. Term 1a focuses on core principles, including new and emerging technologies, energy, materials, systems and devices, mechanical devices, and their working properties. Term 1b shifts to specialist technical principles, covering papers and boards, timbers, metals and alloys, polymers, and textiles.

In Term 2a, students will delve into designing and making principles, starting with investigation and analysis. Term 2b continues with developing design ideas using CAD, communicating concepts, manufacturing, and evaluation.

Term 3a is dedicated to NEA and exam mock preparations, ensuring students are ready for assessments. In Term 3b, with the NEA release in June, students will begin preparing for their Non-Exam Assessment, setting the stage for their final project work.

In Year 11 Design Technology, students will engage in a comprehensive project-based curriculum, honing their design and making skills through the Non-Exam Assessment (NEA). Term 1a begins with an introduction to the NEA, where students identify and analyse a design problem and conduct initial research. In Term 1b, they develop a design brief and specification, generate initial ideas, and experiment with materials and techniques.

In Term 2a, students focus on refining their design ideas, creating detailed proposals and prototypes, and iterating based on feedback. Term 2b involves finalizing design ideas, planning for production, and starting the creation of the final prototype while documenting the process.

Term 3a is dedicated to completing the final prototype, evaluating it against the design specification, and finalising the NEA portfolio. This curriculum provides students with hands-on experience in design and production, preparing them for further studies and careers in design technology.

What your child will learn 

Year 10

Term 1a:

Core Principles: New and Emerging Technologies, Energy, Materials, Systems and Devices, Mechanical Devices, Materials and Working Properties

Term 1b:

Specialists Technical principles – Papers and boards, timbers, metals and alloys, polymers, textiles.

Term 2a:

Designing and Making Principles – Investigation and Analysis

Term 2b:

Designing and Making Principles –Developing Design ideas (CAD), Communicating ideas, Manufacturing, Evaluation.

Term 3a:

NEA Mock / Exam Mock

Term 3b:

NEA release (June) – Students prepare to begin their NEA.

 

Year 11

Term 1a:

Introduction to NEA, Identifying and analyzing the design problem, Conducting initial research and investigation

Term 1b:

Developing a design brief and specification, Generating initial design ideas, Exploring and experimenting with materials and techniques

Term 2a:

Developing and refining design ideas, Creating detailed design proposals and prototypes, Feedback and iteration of designs

Term 2b:

Finalizing design ideas and planning for making, Starting the production of the final prototype, Documenting the design, and making the process

Term 3a:

Completing the production of the final prototype, Evaluating the prototype against the design specification, Finalising the NEA portfolio

Help your child extend their knowledge 


For each half-term there is a Knowledge Expert Sheet which outlines the essential knowledge that all students in Year 10 and 11 need to know.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zvg4d2p

Students demonstrate their depth of knowledge by completing their Knowledge Expert Books.

KS4 Recommended Reading