Design and Technology

Our main aim as a department is to provide outstanding education in both design technology and food technology. We nurture individual pupil’s needs so they can achieve academic success. We balance the practical and theoretical aspects to ensure students develop experimental expertise and secure a solid level of knowledge. This is a specific focus during assessment periods, including mock exams, whereby revision lessons are built in, to the scheme of learning, prior to the exam and a reflection time in the lessons afterwards for pupils to analyse their performance.

Within the department we have two design technology workshops and one specialist food room where pupils take pride and engage in practical activities, we also have a classroom with CAD/CAM facilities where theory and design lesson take place. All rooms are well equipped with internet access, projectors and specialist equipment. Students at KS3 currently have one technology lesson per week and work on a carousel swapping every half term between food technology and design technology. This provides opportunities to explore all aspects of technology and develop practical skills that can be further developed at KS4. Pupils are invited to build their resilience and take advantage of our extra-curricular activities which comprise of KS4 intervention lessons, design club and a KS3 cooking club both of which take place during P7 lessons.

At Ks4 pupils embark on their GCSE journey. Pupils can continue their studies in either design technology or food technology following courses from the Eduqas exam board. At KS4 pupils have 3 lessons per week were at least one of these lessons is a practical. Both GCSEs are split into two components; controlled assessment and an exam which are each worth 50% of the final GCSE grade.

Success at GCSE design technology enables students to progress to further education at college and university which enables pupils to follow a career in product design, trades in joinery and electronics and engineering, to name but a few. Food preparation and nutrition at GCSE also leads to further education at college and university. Pupils can follow careers in food science, food technology, food product design, head chef and working in restaurants and many more.

In Year 7

The students undertake a variety of projects including boats, memo holder in design technology and basic skills and healthy eating in food technology. Safety plays an important role in practical lessons and students are provided with a robust understanding of how to use tools, machinery and equipment correctly.

In Year 8

during this year students are expected to use the practical skills and techniques learned during Year 7 to produce more demanding products. During the year they will attempt a variety of projects including photo frames and tea light holders in design technology and Italian food and special diets in Food technology. A greater emphasis is placed on the use of ICT with CAD/CAM being an integral part of most projects during Year 8 in Design technology and multicultural and lifestyles in Food technology.

Food Preparation and Nutrition – The WJEC Eduqas GCSE

Equips learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating. It encourages learners to cook, nables them to make informed decisions about food and nutrition and allows them to acquire knowledge in order to be able to feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously, now and later in life.

In Year 9

Pupils begin to cover content that will feature on both their final exam and controlled assessment. We start by looking at multicultural foods and then move onto developing basic skills and recipes through studying the principles of nutrition and diet and commodities. This is all internally assessed through mock examinations during assessment weeks.

In Year 10

Continuing on from prior learning in year 9 pupils develop practical skills which complement the theory content we study. During the year we look at food spoilage and the in-depth study of the commodities; cereals; fruit and vegetables; milk, cheese and yoghurt; and meat, poultry, fish and eggs. Whilst looking at these specific topics pupils also practice their NEA1 assignment. Pupils will also engage in 2 mock examinations throughout the year.

In Year 11

Throughout year 11 pupils are focussed on completing their NEA1 and NEA2 controlled assessments which form 50% of their final grade. Once these are completed we re-visit topics taught in year 9 and year 10 and prepare for the final examination.

Design and Technology – The WJEC Eduqas GCSE

Offers a unique opportunity in the curriculum for learners to identify and solve real problems by designing and making products or systems. Through studying GCSE Design and technology, learners will be prepared to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world; and be aware of, and learn from, wider influences on design and technology, including historical, social/cultural, environmental and economic factors.

In Year 9

Pupils begin to cover content that will feature in both their final exam and controlled assessments. Pupils will develop their design skills through a number of design and make tasks using various materials influenced by different design movements. Pupils will learn about the properties of materials and their uses which will give pupils the skills to choose the correct materials when designing and making new products. These design and make tasks include ceramic vases, wooden money boxes and CAM toys.

In Year 10

Pupils continue their learning from year 9. The theory aspect of the subject is taught formally during one of the three lessons per week and is assessed internally during assessment weeks. Pupils will practice their carpentry skills by learning the different wood joints. Pupils will also practice for their component 2 design and make task where pupils will design and make a steady hand game.

In Year 11

Pupils will undertake their final year of the GCSE. Throughout this year pupils are focused on completing their Component 2 design and make task which forms 50% of their final grade. When this is completed we re-visit the topics taught in year 9 and 10 and prepare for the final examination.