DESIGN

       TECHNOLOGY

| Education | Curriculum | Design Technology and Engineering
Why study Design Technology?

The study of Design Technology unlocks curiosity, exploration, experimentation, and investigation. Through the iterative design process Design Technology challenges and stretches pupils’ creative minds to become innovative designers. This will enable students to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. Our Design and Technology curriculum focuses on developing practical skills within key material areas, allowing pupils to learn about industry standards and manufacture products with high quality outcomes. Students use current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments.

 

How will I study Design Technology?

Design solutions are modelled to students. They then combine practical and theoretical skills to design, develop and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants, beliefs and values. Students must critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others. Regular opportunities are given to apply their Design Technology skills to non-routine problems.

 

What will I study at Key Stage 3?

Students study Core Technical Principles, Specialist Technical Principles and Design and making Principles. In Year 7 students explore the iterative design process, computer aided design and manufacture and the then polymers as a versatile material for manufacture. Cooking and Nutrition focuses on health eating. In Year 8 students study design skills and mechanisms. Timbers are a focus material. Cooking and Nutrition focuses on sustainability. In Year 9 students study sustainable design and explore metal. Cooking and Nutrition focuses on scaling up recipes.

 

What will I study at Key Stage 4?

Design Technology

In Key Stage 4 students explore the impact of new and emerging technologies and consider how critical evaluation of them informs design decisions. They then study how energy is generated and stored. The curriculum covers developments in modern and smart materials, composite materials and technical textiles. Students study how electronic systems provide functionality to products and processes. This is followed by the study of mechanical devices and components. The characteristics and properties of materials are explored such as paper and bard, timbers and ferrous and non-ferrous metals. As they progress through Key Stage 4 students go onto an in-depth study of natural and manufactured timber.

 

Engineering

Students study the Engineering World. This involves exploring engineering disciplines. The application of Maths and Science in Engineering is studied in depth. The curriculum covers learning how to read engineering drawings and understand the properties and characteristics of engineering materials and material selection. Students study engineering tools, equipment and machines. Skills and Techniques in Engineering are then applied. This is done through hand drawn engineering and CAD engineering drawings. Students must demonstrate production planning techniques and processing skills and techniques applied to materials for a manufacturing task.

 

Assessment

Overview Focus
  • Component 1:Design and Technology in the 21st Century
  • Written examination: 2 hours
  • 50% of qualification

A mix of short answer, structured and extended writing questions assessing candidates’ knowledge and understanding of:

•         technical principles

•         designing and making principles along with their ability to

•         analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology

 

 

  • Component 2:
  • Design and make task
  • Non-exam assessment: approximately 35 hours
  • 50% of qualification

A sustained design and make task, based on a contextual challenge set by WJEC, assessing candidates’ ability to:

•         identify, investigate and outline design possibilities

•         design and make prototypes

•         analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider

•         issues in design and technology.

 

 

Engineering: NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Engineering QN: 603/2963/4

Overview Focus

Unit 1

Externally assessed:
written examination
(externally marked)

1 hour 30 minutes

80 marks

40% weighting

 A mixture of multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-response questions.
The written examination will assess the learner’s knowledge and
understanding of content from Unit 01 and target assessment objectives
AO1, AO2 and AO3

Unit 2

Internally assessed:
synoptic project*
(externally quality assured)

60% weighting

The completion time for this internal synoptic project is 21 hours of
supervised time.

 The synoptic project will assess the learner’s ability to effectively draw
together their knowledge, understanding and skills from across the whole
vocational area. The synoptic project will target assessment objectives AO1,
AO2, AO3, AO4 and AO5.
The synoptic project will be externally set by NCFE, internally graded by the
centre and externally quality assured by NCFE.

Enrichment Offer

The Department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the Academy in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model.

Careers

The study of Design Technology can lead to future careers ranging from Creative Technologist, Lighting Director and Graphic Designer to Mechanic, Construction Manager and Civil Engineer. Famous DT graduates include Vivienne Westwood (fashion designer), Mary Quant (illustrator, fashion designer).

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