Design Your Future
Students must learn about the designed and manufactured world around them in order to be creative innovators of our future planet and solar system, become informed, ethical consumers and positive contributors to our eco-systems and pioneers of knowledge and technological growth.
Students must understand that human intelligence, comfort and resilience is improved by Design and Technology. Lives can be saved by the advancement of technology in fields such as Medical Science and Space Voyaging. Studying how creativity, risk-taking and innovation has developed and enhanced our living and working world opens the mind of the young designer.
Students must learn about and become confident with ergonomics, aesthetics and functionality, as well as Computer Aided Design & Manufacture and use these areas of study to bring their own ideas to life. Students are given the responsibility of operating machines and using tools and equipment that develops their fine motor skills and encourages
maturity and specialist skills.
Students must develop a thorough and robust understanding of a variety of CAD which leads to excellent computer literacy. The software learnt in the Design and Technology
department and utilised by students is used in current professional design practice in universities and industry in general.
Students must gain cultural understanding of their world by learning about contextual starting points of design history from the first recorded tool to present day innovation – for example, the axe to the Graphene Space Elevator. Industrial case studies where machines such as the Jet Tokamak nuclear fusion generator to the Tesla electric car are contemplated amongst many.
Students will build up creative, technical, numerical, communication and practical skills that lead them to project manage their own design concepts from the drawing board through to CAD and machined realisation.
Students will gain confidence and resilience in the face of iterative design and design failure and understand that a ‘failure first’ attitude leads to the safest and most effective final prototype.
Students will go on to have career pathways through learning skills for life that are exciting and positive, leading them to be successful individuals in the world of work who feel joy and fulfilment in knowing they are contributing to our forever-evolving technological age.
Students must be caring for our eco-system and understand thoroughly the topic of Sustainable Design. In order to preserve our world as designers and consumers, students must learn about ethical choices in order to maintain our world for future generations, and understand the mistakes of past consumption/disposal.
All students must be aware that Design and Technology projects have clear links to cross-curricular areas, most directly to Maths, Science and Engineering. Design and Technology is a recognised STEM subject and can be viewed as Applied Science.
Product Design
Year 7 - Cube
Year 7 Cube - focussed
Design and manufacture a timber-based Cube
Introduction to tools and machining safe practice, research and cultural theory topics, isometric
drawing, perspective drawing, measuring and marking out, finger joints and material subtraction using tools and machines, planning using flow process diagrams, self-assessment and peer assessment, problem solving, working with design restrictions and specifications, creative invention, use of CAD to render technical ideas, team work and positive feedback, responsible tools and machine maintenance, project evaluation
Cross-Curricular Links:
- Maths: measuring, machine tolerance, isometric and perspective drawing
- Science: applied use of materials and their properties, recycling and landfill sites, material composition, transparent aluminium, biopolymers, reusing plastics, landing on Mars, graphene, new, modern materials, manufacturing composites
- Literacy: Writing to analyse, justify, specify and evaluate
- Computing: Use of 3D CAD to render design ideas
- PSHE: Sustainable design and careful use of organic resources, teamwork and safe practice, positive feedback and
- conduct towards others, creative freedom and invention
Year 8 - Maze
Year 8 Maze - focussed
Design and manufacture a timber and polymer Maze game
Re-introduction to tools and
machining safe practice, research and cultural theory topics, grid drawing, perspective drawing, measuring and marking out, mitre joints and material subtraction using tools and machines, planning using flow process diagrams, self-assessment and peer assessment, problem solving, working with design restrictions and specifications, creative invention, use of CAD to render
technical ideas, team work and positive feedback, responsible tools and machine maintenance, project evaluation
Cross-Curricular Links:
- Maths: measuring, machine tolerance, grid and perspective drawing
- Science: Apollo 13 science problems, the space Elevator, Cobots and AI, autogenous material, properties of metal alloys, autonomous cars, metal foams, why don’t aeroplane tyres burst? Concord and aerodynamics, the sonic boom, carbon off-setting, perpetual motion machines, nanomaterials, lab grown diamonds, national grid and renewable energy
- Literacy: Writing to analyse, justify, specify and evaluate
- Computing: Use of 3D CAD to render design ideas
- PSHE: Sustainable design and careful use of organic resources, teamwork and safe practice, positive feedback and
- conduct towards others, creative freedom and invention
Year 9 Mission to Mars
Year 9 Mission to Mars - free
Design and manufacture an essential product that an astronaut would need on a martial colony
Re-introduction to tools and machining safe practice, research and cultural theory topics, grid drawing, perspective drawing, measuring and marking out, variety of joints and material subtraction using tools and machines, planning using flow process diagrams, self-assessment and peer assessment, problem solving, working with design restrictions and specifications, creative invention, use of CAD to render technical ideas, team work and positive feedback, responsible tools and machine maintenance, project evaluation
Cross-Curricular Links:
- Maths: measuring, machine tolerance, grid and perspective drawing
- Science: applied use of modern material and new discoveries, flow diagrams, aerodynamics, forces, gravity, realism and challenges of space travel—more topics TBC
- Literacy: Writing to analyse, justify, specify and evaluate
- Computing: Use of 3D CAD to render design ideas
- PSHE: Sustainable design and careful use of organic resources, teamwork and safe practice, positive feedback and
- conduct towards others, creative freedom and invention.
Year 10 GCSE AQA Design and Technology
Theory topics taught alongside a design and manufacture project, where technical knowledge and creative
freedom empower students to be inventive and scientific in their academic outcomes.
Design & make either:
Solar powered lighting
Gadget tidy
Modern purpose chair
Theory delivered:
Term 1 & 2—Industry & Enterprise, Sustainability & Environment
New and emerging technologies, automation, conditions of work, virtual retail, cooperatives and Fairtrade, Life cycle assessment, waste disposal, Kaizen theory, market pull/technology push, fashion and trends, faith and belief, design for specific users,
Term 3 & 4—Production techniques & systems, power generation
Automation, CAD/CAM, flexible manufacturing systems, just in time production, planned obsolescence, fossil fuels and renewable energy, fracking, wind, solar and hydro power, biofuels and nuclear power, kinetic energy,
pneumatics, hydraulics, flywheels and history of batterie power
Term 5 & 6—Modern, smart, composite and resistant materials, systems and devices
Biopolymers, nanomaterials, modern materials, smart and self-healing
materials, technical textiles, electronic systems, mechanical devices and
linkages, papers and boards, timbers, polymers, metals and alloys, sources of origin, forces and stress, reinforcement and product improvement, ecological and social footprints, the six ‘r’s, scales of production, existing company case studies: Dyson, Tesla, Primark, Alessi
Testing:
Once per half term
Project Deadlines:
Once per week
Cross-Curricular Links:
- Science: strong theory links throughout the course.
- Maths: numeracy and calculations throughout the course
- Literacy: Writing to analyse, justify, specify and evaluate
- Computing: Use of 3D CAD to render design ideas, all coursework is typed up in a professional method
- PSHE: Sustainable design and careful use of organic resources, teamwork and safe practice, positive feedback and
- conduct towards others, creative freedom and invention
- Business: all theory related to enterprise and working conditions of employment
- Geography: energy sources, social and ecological footprints, urban life
- History: from the light bulb to the Hoover Dam, from the Voltaic Pile to the Sinclair C5—DT covers it!
Year 11 GCSE AQA Design and Technology
Students are embarking upon coursework set by the exam board. All students receive weekly deadlines in order to keep on top of each
Assessment Objective:
AO1: Research of context
AO2: Initial design ideas
AO3: Development and modelling of design ideas
AO4: Realisation of final prototype including planning
Graphics
Year 7
Game Focused: Design and manufacture a board game with buzzer circuit
Introduction to tools and machining safe practice, research and cultural theory topics, isometric drawing, perspective drawing, measuring and marking out, finger joints and material subtraction using tools and machines, planning using flow process diagrams, self-assessment and peer assessment, problem solving, working with design restrictions and specifications, creative invention, use of CAD to render technical ideas, team work and positive feedback, responsible tools and machine maintenance, project evaluation
Cross-Curricular Links:
Maths: measuring, machine tolerance, isometric and perspective drawing
Science: applied use of modern material and new discoveries, flow
diagrams, smart glasses, Gortex and technical textiles, hierarchy of sustainability, 6 ‘R’s, polymorph and smart materials, robotics and 3D printing, molecular structure of polymers
Literacy: Writing to analyse, justify, specify and evaluate
Computing: Use of 3D CAD to render design ideas
PSHE: Sustainable design and careful use of organic resources, teamwork and safe practice, positive feedback and
conduct towards others, creative freedom and invention.
Year 8
Year 8 Pop - Focused
Design and manufacture a branding and marketing material for a musical artist or group
Re-introduction to tools and machining safe practice, research and cultural theory topics, grid drawing, perspective drawing, measuring and marking out, mitre joints and material subtraction using tools and machines, planning using flow process diagrams, self-assessment and peer assessment, problem solving, working with design restrictions and specifications, creative invention, use of CAD to render technical ideas, team work and positive feedback, responsible tools and machine maintenance, project evaluation
Cross-Curricular Links:
- Maths: measuring, machine tolerance, grid and perspective drawing
- Science: applied use of modern material and new discoveries, flow diagrams, COVID-19 and low carbon emissions, edible packaging, Elon Musk’s Hyperloop, compostable products, metallic glass, invention of the internet and the WWW, Teflon and friction, space exploration, life on the International Space Station, gravity and centrifugal force, cleaning coal, replicating spider silk
- Literacy: Writing to analyse, justify, specify and evaluate
- Computing: Use of 3D CAD to render design ideas
- PSHE: Sustainable design and careful use of organic resources, teamwork and safe practice, positive feedback and
- conduct towards others, creative freedom and invention
Year 9
Year 9 The Golden Record - free
Design and manufacture the record sleeve and symbolic patterns for a NASA product—branding, press advertising, magazine designs also for the first commercial visit to Mars
Re-introduction to tools and machining safe practice, research and cultural theory topics, grid drawing, perspective drawing, measuring and marking out, variety of joints and material subtraction using tools and machines, planning using flow process diagrams, self-assessment and peer assessment, problem solving, working with design restrictions and specifications, creative invention, use of CAD to render technical ideas, team work and positive feedback, responsible tools and machine maintenance, project evaluation
Cross-Curricular Links:
- Maths: measuring, machine tolerance, grid and perspective drawing
- Science: applied use of modern material and new discoveries, flow
- diagrams, aerodynamics, forces, gravity, realism and challenges in space travel and many more topics TBC
- Literacy: Writing to analyse, justify, specify and evaluate
- Computing: Use of 3D CAD to render design ideas
- PSHE: Sustainable design and careful use of organic resources, teamwork and safe practice, positive feedback and
- conduct towards others, creative freedom and invention
- History: Voyager and the Golden Record, the most exciting moment of invention ever
Year 10 GCSE AQA Design and Technology
Theory topics taught alongside a design and manufacture project, where
technical knowledge and creative
freedom empower students to be
inventive and scientific in their
academic outcomes.
Design & make either:
Solar powered lighting
Gadget tidy
Modern purpose chair
Theory delivered:
Term 1 & 2—Industry & Enterprise, Sustainability & Environment
New and emerging technologies,
automation, conditions of work, virtual retail, cooperatives and Fairtrade, Life cycle assessment, waste disposal, Kaizen theory, market pull/technology push, fashion and trends, faith and belief, design for specific users,
Term 3 & 4—Production techniques & systems, power generation
Automation, CAD/CAM, flexible manufacturing systems, just in time production, planned obsolescence, fossil fuels and renewable energy, fracking, wind, solar and hydro power, biofuels and nuclear power, kinetic energy,
pneumatics, hydraulics, flywheels and history of battery power
Term 5 & 6—Modern, smart, composite and resistant materials, systems and devices
Biopolymers, nanomaterials, modern materials, smart and self-healing materials, technical textiles, electronic systems, mechanical devices and linkages, papers and boards, timbers, polymers, metals and alloys, sources of origin, forces and stress, reinforcement and product improvement, ecological and social footprints, the six ‘r’s, scales of production, existing company case studies: Dyson, Tesla, Primark, Alessi
Testing:
Once per half term
Project Deadlines:
Once per week
Cross-Curricular Links:
- Science: strong theory links throughout the course.
- Maths: numeracy and calculations throughout the course
- Literacy: Writing to analyse, justify, specify and evaluate
- Computing: Use of 3D CAD to render design ideas, all coursework is typed up in a professional method
- PSHE: Sustainable design and careful use of organic resources, teamwork and safe practice, positive feedback and
- conduct towards others, creative freedom and invention
- Business: all theory related to enterprise and working conditions of employment
- Geography: energy sources, social and ecological footprints, urban life
- History: from the light bulb to the Hoover Dam, from the Voltaic Pile to the Sinclair C5—DT covers it!
Year 11 GCSE AQA Design and Technology
Students are embarking upon coursework set by the exam board. All students receive weekly deadlines in order to keep on top of each
Assessment Objective:
AO1: Research of context
AO2: Initial design ideas
AO3: Development and modelling of design ideas
AO4: Realisation of final prototype including planning
AO5: Analysis, communication and evaluation