The Key Stage 3 curriculum lasts for three years and covers the National Curriculum for Design Technology. Our aim is to cover a broad range of knowledge and skills to develop young people’s designing and making abilities via a wide variety of activities. Through evaluation of past and present Design and Technology, students develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. Students learn to use modern technologies such as Computer Aided Design and Manufacture and consider the impact of future technological developments on our planet. The projects undertaken at KS3 are specifically designed to foster and develop a love for the subject and create subject expertise whilst supporting progression onto KS4 and beyond. We create opportunities for students to learn the key knowledge and skills needed and we regularly revisit topics deliberately and systematically in our long term planning to develop long term memory.
The Design & Technology GCSE curriculum is designed to build on the key knowledge within the KS3 curriculum and reflect the demands of a truly modern and evolving society. With the pace of technological development and the need for more sustainable consumerism, Design and Technology has never been so vital. Students are given opportunities to solve design based problems that meet consumer needs but which also address current issues within the world of work. Our carefully planned curriculum nurtures key knowledge and skills via both practical and theoretical experiences. This allows students to respond to contexts and develop their own original creative responses by knowing which skills and knowledge to apply independently to achieve a desirable outcome. We encourage students to take an analytical approach to their understanding of methods, processes and outcomes of their own work and that of others.
The Engineering Design curriculum is designed to build on the core knowledge of D&T within the KS3 curriculum, while focusing on the applied study of the engineering industry. This gives students the opportunity to understand how to develop a design specification and study the processes involved in designing new engineered products, while understanding how you consult with a client and, with its practical focus, will engage them in producing, testing and evaluating a prototype. We encourage students to take an analytical approach to their understanding of methods, processes and outcomes of engineering design and develop problem solving skills that will enable them to look at the world differently.
The Engineering Design curriculum is designed to build on the core knowledge of D&T within the KS3 curriculum, while focusing on the applied study of the engineering industry. This gives students the opportunity to understand how to develop a design specification and study the processes involved in designing new engineered products, while understanding how you consult with a client and, with its practical focus, will engage them in producing, testing and evaluating a prototype. We encourage students to take an analytical approach to their understanding of methods, processes and outcomes of engineering design and develop problem solving skills that will enable them to look at the world differently.
Since the beginning of the evolution of humans we have been looking to make our lives better through the use of technology. We have looked at the problems that we face and aimed to solve them using the materials available to us and the technologies we have developed. Product design is all about this, as product designers we aim to improve our lives by designing and making products that will make our day to day activities more enjoyable or easier. Product Design complements the Arts and Sciences and is suited to students wishing to extend their experience of design and technology who would like to become creative and innovative designers. The course focuses on developing a student’s knowledge of industrial design and manufacturing techniques. Students will learn about the working properties of materials, components and processes. Students will also explore the impact of products on the environment and designing for future generations.
Our curriculum is structured to encourage students to develop a passion for Design & Technology and inspire students to continue with Design and/or Engineering into further and higher education. We have many examples of our students securing relevant employment opportunities both locally and nationally.
In Design & Technology at Key Stage 3, we assess students’ understanding through a range of formative strategies. These include a range of questioning techniques and responsive teaching in lessons. Low Stakes Quizzing, plenary tasks and written analysis assess students' knowledge and understanding. Success Criteria are available in all student booklets and extensive use of peer and self assessment enables students to self regulate and make improvements to their work. In addition to the above, at Key Stage 4 & 5 we regularly assess students’ understanding using the assessment objectives set by the exam board. Clear and direct feedback is offered to all students via the use of individual Verbal Feedback and Whole Class Feedback that is relevant covering common mistakes and/or correcting misconceptions. We deliberately build in ‘do now’ time into our lessons to enable students to act upon feedback and enable our teachers to re-teach some content where it is clear students have gaps in their knowledge and/or misconceptions. KS3 Students sit a baseline test upon entry in year 7 to identify areas of strength and prevent duplication of teaching. KS4 & 5 students develop a personal portfolio of projects and will complete an externally set assignment by the exam board, both are summatively marked according to the exam board assessment objectives. At KS4 & 5 formal exams and projects build up over the course to cumulatively assess key knowledge and skills. Past assessment papers are used to offer students opportunities to learn exam technique and receive clear feedback into their areas for development. External examinations take place at the end of the course and these are assessed by the exam board using national grade boundaries.