Curriculum
Design and Technology forms one of the core subjects here at Â鶹. We prepare our students with the transferable skills needed to be successful, well-rounded members of society. We break down our curriculum to support our learners with the skills and knowledge they need to see the world beyond the classroom and become part of the exciting developments that exist within the world of work. In 2017 the CBI identified a perfect storm, with people entering the workplace lacking essential STEM skills, this was reaffirmed in 2021 as we entered a post pandemic UK. Knowing that we have a labour market lacking in these skills, and the potential to build a unique opportunity here at Â鶹, we established ‘Design for all’ whereby all our students take a qualification in Product Design at GCSE. We are always expanding and looking to develop our incredible links with external institutions. In the last year alone, we have continued to develop working relationships with Highways England, Trend, HME and Birmingham City University; providing our pupils with real life experimental learning opportunities that go way beyond the classroom setting.
Curriculum Overview
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| Ìý | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Textile Monster – Textile materials | Textile Monster – Textile materials | Catapults – STEM and mechanisms | Catapults – STEM and mechanisms | Introduction to CAD | Introduction to CAD |
| 8 | Board Games – Graphic products | Board Games – Graphic products | Sustainable Textiles | Sustainable Textiles | Art Deco Jewellery | Art Deco Jewellery |
| 9 | Skills Passport Part 1 | Skills Passport Part 1 | Skills Passport Part 2 | LED Mastery Lamps – Design and Make | LED Mastery Lamps – Design and Make | Choice project, utilising the skills developed across KS3 to produce an iterative outcome |
| 10 | Intro to Product Design/Intro To Graphic Design | Component 1 – Design in the 21st Century (Unit 5; In depth materials) | Component 1 – Design in the 21st Century (Unit 5; In depth materials) | CAD Skills | MOCK NEA – Problem Solving | Component 2 NEA – AO1 |
| 11 | Component 2 NEA – AO2 | Component 2 NEA – AO3 | Component 2 NEA – AO3 Component 1 – Design in the 21st Century (Unit 1) | Component 1 – Design in the 21st Century (Unit 2 and 3 | Component 1 – Design in the 21st Century (Unit 4 and 5) + Revision Techniques | Ìý |
| 12 | Identifying and investigating design possibilities AO1 | Identifying and investigating design possibilities AO1/ Developing a design brief and specification AO1 | NEA – Component 2 Generating and developing design ideas AO2 | NEA – Component 2 Generating and developing design ideas AO2 | NEA – Component 2 Generating and developing design ideas AO2 | NEA – Component 2 Manufacturing a prototypeAO2 |
| 13 | Module 1 – Materials and Manufacturing / AO3 Analysing and evaluating design decisions and prototypes | Module 2 – Reverse and Concurrent Engineering | Module 3 – Sustainable Design and manufacture | Module 4 – Design History | Exam Technique, Revision and Practice | Ìý |
What can Design and Technology lead to?
Product Design
Graphic Design
Interior DesignÌý
Set/Theatre Design
Civil Engineering
Engineering
Architecture
Construction
Business
Project Management
Product Development
Game Design
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
In Years 7-9, and in order to create a common form of assessment, written formal competencies are used throughout the different schemes in a similar style to L4L. Keeping this in line means students are able to identify their own progression with relative ease. Our KS3 statements come from the national curriculum for DT alongside a level of challenge brought in from GCSE.
The GCSE course is split into two components:
Component One: Design and Technology in the 21st Century. A 2-hour written exam on theory knowledge (Units 1-5) in the summer series of Year 11 – 50%
Component Two: The Design and Make Task. An NEA (Non-Examined Assessment) traditionally known as Coursework – 35 hours – 50%
In both Year 10 and 11, we use the exam board specification to help assess the pupils’ progress.ÌýÌý
WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED?
Creative Thinking
Lateral Thinking
Problem Solving
Project Management
Teamwork
Communication
Critical ResearchÌý
Analytical Skills
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