The Importance of Design & Technology in the Curriculum
Design and technology is simply a part of everything that you have ever seen or will do and use in the future. Without DT it would not be possible for you to access this website through your electronic devices. Without design this website would not include typography, style and systems that allow you to navigate with ease. DT is essential to everyone’s future. DT allows everyone to question what they already know and explore how they could investigate and make improvements through use of research, design and creativity. What would the world be like without these creative minds developing products and solutions to everyday issues or desires? This is where science and maths are applied to real life.
Pupils throughout KS3 are upskilled in the design and creation of products from a wide variety of materials. They are taught the design process, and are encouraged and supported with the creation of new and unique items and techniques. Design and technology is the combination of practical knowledge with transferrable skills such as problem solving and analytical thinking.
KS3
The design and technology department delivers the knowledge and skills relating to product design, graphics, systems & control, computer aided design along with more traditional material manipulation skills. This is delivered through the medium of both engaging and challenging project work, often embedding the skills into a real life scenario. A focus on user-centred design is promoted and encouraged as soon as the pupils enter their DT course in KS3. Pupils are encouraged to take risks and make mistakes in order to truly learn from these and become better designers!
Year 7 Design Technology Overview
Year 8 Design Technology Overview
Year 9 Design Technology Overview
KS4 Design and Technology GCSE
Specification at a glance
Exam Board: AQA
Pupils will pursue a course leading to the award of a GCSE 9-1 qualification at the end of Year 11.
Course Assessment:
Written exam (2 hours) 100 marks - 50% of GCSE
What is assessed?
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Core technical principles (20 marks)
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Specialist technical principles (30 marks)
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Designing and making principles (50 marks)
A mixture of short answer and extended response questions, including a 12 mark design question.
Assessed Project (30-35 hours) 100 marks - 50% of GCSE
What is assessed?
Practical application of core technical, specialist technical principles and designing and making principles.
Task(s): Substantial design and make task
Assessment criteria: Investigating, designing, making, analysing and evaluation. Students will produce a working prototype and a portfolio of evidence (max 20 pages). Work will be marked by teachers and moderated by AQA. In addition, pupils may be required to make a financial contribution for their material choices for their final NEA product.
Should my child study Design and Technology?
Design and Technology will give students the opportunity to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. The students will be building upon and extending their existing skills and knowledge and applying them to real life situations.
What will my child gain from Design and Technology?
They will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. In addition, students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise. Within the course the students will learn a broad range of design processes, materials, techniques and equipment. They will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.
Where will Design and Technology take my child? Potential careers!
Students will be able to access further education with their qualification into courses such as AS and A levels in Product Design and Resistant Materials. Furthermore, they will gain experiences and skills that will include CAD and CAM which will support a whole host of job and higher education avenues such as:
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Product Designer
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Engineer
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Graphic Designer
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Architect
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Advertising
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Interior Design
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Carpenter
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Interior Manufacturer
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Set/Stage Designer
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Civil Engineer
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Automotive
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Marketing