Design Technology

Our Design Technology curriculum aims to give the students an opportunity to:

Research and Design

• Engage in an iterative process of design and making.

• Undergo primary and secondary research techniques into a range of users’ needs, wants and values, analysis of existing products, ergonomics and anthropometrics, and the work of others.

• Identify and solve problems, including the problems of specific clients.

• Develop specifications to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that respond to needs in a variety of situations.

• Use a variety of design strategies when developing ideas using the iterative design process.

• Develop and communicate design ideas using a variety of methods. 

Make

• Select from and use specialist tools, techniques, processes, equipment and machinery precisely, including computer-aided design and manufacture.

• Select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials, components and taking into account their properties.

Evaluate

• Analyse the work of past and present professionals or existing designed products to develop and broaden understanding.

• Investigate new and emerging technologies.

• Personal project work, analysing how the product fulfils the requirements of the specification and the users’ needs, wants and values.

• Recognise how their product can be modified for commercial manufacturing

• Understand developments in design technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists

In KS3 students in year 7 will begin by investigating design drawing and rendering techniques and how to present design ideas coherently. They will learn how to draw orthographically and isometrically to represent their own ideas. Students will learn to interpret a design brief, research and analyse existing products to create their own ‘Block Bot’ design and write a customer focussed specification. Students will learn the fundamentals of health and safety in the DT classroom whilst exploring woodworking tools and techniques as they make their block bots applying these principles. They will develop their understanding of the properties of different types of wood and be able to apply this to evaluating their product compared to their specification. Students will go on to further develop their understanding of the design process by exploring and designing inspired by the Art Deco movement, learning how to use computer aided design and manufacture processes and metal casting. 

In year 8 DT students will further develop practical and theoretical learning in year 7 . They will continue to learn how to analyse products and designs in relation to set briefs and how to create their own design specifications for their products that focus on user needs. They will be further developing woodworking, measuring methods as well as thinking about ergonomics in relation to the ‘Sweet Dispenser’ brief. They will continue using their brief led, customer focussed design methodology in the textiles design discipline by creating their own Bauhaus inspired cushion covers. Students will work through the design process from inception to outcome, and also learn how to use hand and machine textiles processes safely. 

In year 9 DT students will master the laser cutting  CADCAM and practical manufacturing processes learned in year 7 and 8. They will learn how to develop their own design concepts for a night light based around specific user needs. Their work will be informed by the analysis of the set brief, research into customer needs and analysis of existing products and designs. They will examine the use of circuitry and learn how to safely design and solder circuits to create a working night light for their intended user. Students will continue to master the computer aided design processes by being introduced to the AutoCAD software package, learning how to use a variety of industry standard virtual modelling and rendering tools within the virtual environment. Once students have mastered the basic processes of orthographic drawings, extruding and rotating and rendering to make their own components, they will apply this learning to creating their own virtual designs for an intended user. Students will be equipped for success at Key stage 4 through thorough evaluation of their own products compared to their specifications. 

Students can opt for the AQA 3 Dimensional Design course that is under the AQA Art and Design GCSE specification. (See Art and Design subject area. )

Hours of lessons per fortnight for this subject:

- KS3:2 on a carousel with food technology. Students will have one and a half terms of learning in Design technology in either terms 1&2 or Terms 2 and 3. 

- KS4: 5

- KS5: In development. 

AQA Art and Design - 3 Dimensional Design

2 dedicated practical spaces with a range of  hand tools, pillar drills, belt sanders and hegner saws, all with dedicated extraction systems (fitted for use with up to 20 students). 

1 portable casting station for soft metals.

1 fixed casting station/foundry for metal working.

1 dedicated CAD/CAM room with 24 workstations, specialist 2D and 3D design software. Laser cutter, array of 3D printers. 

1 dedicated technicians workshop with specialist mechanical saws/tools, 3D printers and workstations (for staff use to support students).

Students in KS4 will visit local area design examples to develop ideas for their own work.