Graphics and Textiles sits within the Design Technology suite of creative subjects. 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, pupils 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 pupils to learn the key knowledge and skills needed and regularly revisit and relearn topics deliberately and systematically in our long term planning.
All lessons look to develop creative, innovative and confident students through the technology areas. Schemes of work across the key stages give students a broad and exciting curriculum encompassing core design skills, encouraging risk taking and developing subject specific expertise.
The Fashion and Textiles curriculum is designed to build on the core knowledge of D&T within the KS3 curriculum, while focusing on the applied study of the Fashion and Textiles industry. This gives students the opportunity to develop a wide range of appropriate skills as well as developing their creativity and ability to problem solve. Studying in this project based style curriculum develops lots of transferable skills that are applicable not only to other subject areas, but more importantly to further education and employment based situations. The course is structured to give students a well-rounded knowledge of the whole Fashion and Textiles design and manufacture process covering everything from fabric design through to clothing manufacture. We encourage students to take creative risks and try new things, we try to introduce as many new skills as possible to give students the best possible chance of succeeding in their studies. The carefully planned curriculum will inspire students to continue with Fashion and Textiles Design in further education.
The Graphic 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 graphic design industry. This gives students the opportunity to develop their creative thinking and development skills by being challenged to experiment with different media. If students do not choose to continue with Graphic Design they will have developed creative problem solving skills that will enable them to look at the world differently. The course is structured to encourage students to develop a passion for presentation and an understanding of how as consumers we are manipulated by Graphic design to buy certain products. 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 carefully planned curriculum will inspire students to continue with Graphic Design in further education.
Both Graphics and Fashion & Clothing students study together and follow the same course structure at KS5, however each subject follows individual project briefs as appropriate to their specialist skills and material areas. The course gives students the specialist knowledge and skills to become part of the expanding British creative industries, it is a practical, work-related course and students learn by completing projects as assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. Studying Graphics or Fashion & Clothing helps students to develop a blend of technical practical techniques and academic writing skills as well as excellent project management tools to support them in becoming highly skilled, work-ready individuals that employers and universities are looking for. If students want to develop their potential for creative work in the design industry, then this course will give them the opportunity to explore a range of materials, media and technical skills associated with overall design. Working in a multi-disciplinary design classroom encourages students to explore a much wider range of materials and processes and engage in a much more real-life design team based environment.
Our curriculum is structured to encourage students to develop a passion for Design and inspire students to continue their studies into further and higher education. We have many examples of our students securing relevant employment opportunities both locally and nationally.
In Graphics and Textiles 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.