KS3 Design and Technology

CURRICULUM

All students follow the National Curriculum for Design and Technology and have the opportunity to gain and develop a variety of skills during creative and practical activities. Students explore designing, making, evaluating and technical knowledge in Textiles, Resistant Materials, Graphic Design, and Food and Nutrition. Students are encouraged to be creative, use their imaginations and be confident participants when in Design and Technology.

The students follow a carousel in years 7, 8 and 9 where they study in subjects for 10-13 weeks with a specialist teacher in each subject area.

In year 7 students will do the following Projects:

Textiles: Fabric Key Ring. In this, project students learn: How to use basic sewing skills to decorate fabric, how to draw from mood/theme boards and use presentation skills, how natural and manmade fabrics are made, how to use presentation skills to design a ‘Bauhaus’ inspired cushion'.

Resistant Materials: Pencil Holder. In this project students learn: How to work with a range of tools and equipment and work with MDF, how to draw to scale using a template, how wood is made and the different types of wood, how to use presentation skills to design a lamp inspired by ‘Bauhaus’.

Graphics: Soma Cube. In this project students learn: How to produce a puzzle with MDF cubes, how to use CAD/CAM to make a net and explore packaging, how to produce working drawings in isometric projection, how to use presentation skills to design a ‘Bauhaus’ inspired phone case.

Food: Savoury Dishes. In this project students will learn: How to weigh and measure ingredients accurately, how to work safely with a range of equipment and appliances, how to use the eat well guide, how to use your presentation skills to design a food logos inspired by ‘Bauhaus’.

In year 8 students will do the following Projects:

Textiles: Fabric Planner Cover. In this project students will learn: How to use a variety of techniques to apply designs and colour to fabric, how to create a design for a block print and how to print accurately, how felt is manufactured and used in industry, how to use your presentation skills to design a Pop Art inspired converse trainer.

Resistant Materials: Pop Up Toy. In this project students will learn: How to work with a range of tools and equipment and work with plywood and MDF, how to design a theme for the pop up feature, how mechanism and motion work and to create a CAM that works, how to use your presentation skills to design and develop existing products in the style of Pop Art. 

Graphics: Memphis Jigsaw. In this project, students will learn: How to take inspiration from a design movement, how to use 2D Design to laser cut a jigsaw puzzle, how to design and make packaging for their product, how to use your presentation skills to design a Pop Art inspired greeting card.

Food: Savoury Dishes. In this project students will learn: How to weigh and measure ingredients accurately, how to use a grill, hob and oven safely and correctly, how to keep myself save when using heated appliances, how to clean and wash up after a practical lesson, how to use your presentation skills to design Pop Art inspired food products.

In year 9 students will do the following Projects:

Textiles: Mixed Media Textiles Wall Hanging. In this project students will learn: How to create portraits inspired by Bisa Butler using different drawing techniques, how to turn hand drawings into repeat patterns, how to use a variety of textiles techniques, how to use your presentation skills to design an Art Nouveau inspired ‘Bag’.

Resistant Materials: Spinning Top. In this project students will learn: How to work with a range of tools and equipment and work with soft wood, how ergonomics effects the design process, how to use a mood board to produce a decorative spinning top, how to use your presentation skills to design and develop a chair inspired by Art Nouveau.

Graphics: Architecture Model. In this project, students will learn: How to take inspiration from past and present architect designers, how develop their skills on 2D design to laser cut parts to make an architectural model, how to model and develop ideas with card, how to use your presentation skills to design an Art Nouveau inspired building.

Food: Savoury Dishes. In this project students will learn: How to prevent food poisoning and how Health and Safety works in the hospitality & catering industry, how to become more competent in a range of cooking techniques, how cook a repertoire of predominantly savoury dishes so that they are able to feed themselves and others a healthy and varied diet, how to use your presentation skills to design a ‘shop front’ for a bakery inspired by Art Nouveau.

How is the course assessed?

KS3 students will follow one design brief throughout the year and assessment will be focused on the understanding and application of design skills through a design task in each specialist area.

• This will then be assessed following the PINS format.
• Students will then be given regular feedback in lessons and then at the end of the module students will receive an assessment sheet, which will identify their progress and targets for improvement.
• A mark for practical skills and designing skills will also be recorded

Homework and learning beyond the classroom

KS3 students will be given subject ‘Extended’ Homework task to be completed week by week. Tasks will extend and develop their learning from lessons.

Tech club – runs on a 4-week rotation for years 7 and year 8. Students are given the opportunity to design and make a variety of mini products, which build on skills in the classroom.

Baking Club – For all the baking enthusiastic in year 7/8, followed by a bake off competition.

Year 9 Craft & Design Club – for those wanting to extend their skills in Textiles, Product Design and Graphic Design

Engineering Club – Is run throughout the year as is offered to year 9. Students get the opportunity to build and repair our department Go-kart and then get the ride the Go-kart on our school field

Study Support – Run for all year 9 students.