Who we are Mrs J. Walters Ms L. Jacobs About Design and Technology As a department we promote high standards of academic achievements through research, designing, making, analysing and evaluating. We are all very passionate about our subjects and ensuring all students reach their full potential. We work together as an enthusiastic team in a learning environment that actively stimulates and develops lively enquiring minds, creativity and resourcefulness. Through problem solving and technological or practical activities the students build up their skills and confidence. We establish good working practices and an understanding of technical concepts and systems and their safe application in our modern society. KS3 During KS3 students’ rotate throughout each year to cover projects in different Design Technology Disciplines. Each year students will undergo a Food and Nutrition module and other modules that will include: Graphic Products, CAD/CAM, Resistant Materials, Product Design, Systems and Control, Electronics and Textiles, over the 3 years. GCSE Examination Board: AQA Specification Code 8552 GCSE Design and Technology will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise. The GCSE allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. In Design Technology students will work with and learn about papers and boards, timber, metal based materials, polymers and to a lesser extent textile based materials, electronic and mechanical systems. Course Outline: Core Technical Principals - New and emerging technologies, energy storage and generation, modern and smart materials, systems approach to designing, mechanical devices and materials and their working properties. Specialist Technical Principals - Selection of materials or components, forces and stresses, ecological and social footprint, scales of production, sources and origins, using and working with materials, stock forms, types and sizes, specialist techniques and surface treatments and finishes. Designing and Making Principals - Students should know and understand that all design and technology activities take place within a wide range of contexts. They should also understand how the prototypes they develop must satisfy wants or needs and be fit for their intended use. For example, the home, school, work or leisure. They will need to demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of designing and making principles in relation to the following areas: investigation, primary and secondary data, environmental, social and economic challenge, the work of others, design strategies, communication of design ideas, prototype development, selection of materials and components, tolerances, material management, tools and equipment and techniques and processes. Students will:-
Assessment Written examination (50%). Coursework - Design and Make Task (50%) – A substantial ‘Design and Make Task’ is started in June of year 10 and due in February of Year 11. Students will be assessed on the following categories – Investigating, Designing, Making, Analysing and Evaluating. Coursework will be internally assessed and externally moderated. |