Design & Technology
INTRODUCTION
DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY – Developing creativity. Manufacturing innovation.
At Key Stage 3, students at Wright Robinson College complete a carousel of Design & Technology/ Music/ Drama. They will study each area twice within each academic year. Each individual project has been developed to give students the opportunity to fully explore, experience and enjoy these subjects.
KS3 Curriculum Map
Curriculum in Year 7
How we assess:
| Rotation 1 | Rotation 2 | |
| Overview |
Pewter casting – After an introduction to the materials and manufacturing processes used in D+T, students will design and manufacture a pewter keyring. They will create a range of possible outcomes, use CAD/CAM to develop a final design mold, and then cast the final product for a chosen client. |
Blister packaging - Revisiting the manufacturing processes introduced earlier in the year, students will use a range of wastage, addition and reforming techniques to design and manufacture a blister packaged product. |
| Content |
Theory: Materials investigation, Manufacturing processes Designing: Product analysis, Design ideas and development, CAD Manufacturing: Sawing, Filing, Drilling, Buffing |
Theory: Materials investigation (paper and board), Manufacturing processes (wastage, addition, reforming) Designing: Design ideas, CAD development Manufacturing: Die cutting, Printing, Vacuum forming |
How can parents help?
- Encourage your child to analyse everyday products in terms of design
- Ask your child - 'What is that product made of, and why?'
- Ensure your child is equipped with a pencil and an eraser
Curriculum in Year 8
For one year only, Year 8 students will study the following:
How we assess:
| Rotation 1 | Rotation 2 | |
| Overview |
Pewter casting – After an introduction to the materials and manufacturing processes used in D+T, students will design and manufacture a pewter keyring. They will create a range of possible outcomes, use CAD/CAM to develop a final design mold, and then cast the final product for a chosen client. |
Blister packaging - Revisiting the manufacturing processes introduced earlier in the year, students will use a range of wastage, addition and reforming techniques to design and manufacture a blister packaged product. |
| Content |
Theory: Materials investigation, Manufacturing processes Designing: Product analysis, Design ideas and development, CAD Manufacturing: Sawing, Filing, Drilling, Buffing |
Theory: Materials investigation (paper and board), Manufacturing processes (wastage, addition, reforming) Designing: Design ideas, CAD development Manufacturing: Die cutting, Printing, Vacuum forming |
How can parents help?
- Encourage your child to sketch often, and in detail
- Encourage your child to analyse everyday products in terms of design
- Ask your child - 'What is that product made of, and why?'
- Ensure your child is equipped with a pencil and an eraser
Curriculum in Year 9
How we assess:
| Rotation 1 | Rotation 2 | |
| Overview | Presentation techniques: Formal drawing skills are introduced, to allow students to further develop and express their design ideas. Isometric sketches are then developed using CAD, self evaluation and peer feedback. |
LED picture frame: Students will investigate different cultures to develop a range of design ideas that meet a specific user needs. Based on consumer feedback, students will then use CAD/CAM and electronics to develop a final prototype. |
| Content |
Designing: Isometric drawing, Design and Development, CAD, Evaluation |
Theory: Investigating cultures, Systems (electronics) Designing: Research, Specification, CAD development Manufacturing: Electronics, CAM (laser cutting) |
How can parents help?
- Encourage your child to sketch everyday items in isometric projection
- Ask your child - 'How is that product manufactured, and why?'
- Ensure your child is equipped with a pencil, a ruler and an eraser
Curriculum in Year 10
Course title: AQA Design and Technology (8552)
How we assess:
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
| Overview | Students will revisit and further develop their knowledge of specialist technical principles such as Materials, Sustainability and Manufacturing processes. This will lead onto the study of core technical principles such as CAD/CAM, Industry and Society. |
Students will further embed their CAD/CAM skills by designing and manufacturing a range of personalised products. These products will then be presented through isometric sketches and CAD designs. Students will also study further a range of core and specialist principles. |
Students will complete a design portfolio based on the format of their Y11 design and make task (NEA). They will investigate a given design brief, and use the iterative process to develop a relevant, commercially viable final design proposal. |
| Content |
Theory: Materials classifications, Manufacturing processes. Sustainability, Industry, Society, Designing for people Designing: Isometric sketching, 3D development, CAD |
Theory: Energy, Modern and Smart materials, Systems, Mechanisms, Scales of production Designing: CAD, 3D development Manufacturing: CAM (laser cutting)
|
Designing: Primary and secondary research, Client profile, Designing, CAD Development, Specification Manufacturing: 3D testing and modelling, CAM (laser cutting), Construction techniques |
How can parents help?
- Encourage regular, detailed sketching of electronic products
- Encourage analysis of everyday products
- Encourage your child to revise for key assessments
Curriculum in Year 11
Course title: AQA Design and Technology (8552)
Method of external assessment: 50% examination, 50% Non-examined Assessment
How we assess:
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
| Overview | Students will complete their Non-examined Assessment portfolio (NEA). This includes detailed written investigation, a wide range of designs that meet the needs of the design brief and the client, CAD/CAM and 3D prototypes, testing and evaluation throughout and a final manufactured product. They will also revisit a wide range of core and specialist technical principles, both within the context of their NEA, and in preparation for their external exam. | External examination preparation/revision. | |
| Content |
Investigation: Primary and secondary research, Client profile, Work of Others Brief and Specification: Design brief and design specification written Generating design ideas: Initial designs and client feedback Developing design ideas: CAD modelling, 3D modelling and testing Realising design ideas: Manufacturing of final prototype Analysing and Evaluating: Analysis and evaluation of designs throughout the project. Revision: Core and specialist technical principles. |
Revision of core and specialist technical principles. | |
How can parents help?
- Encourage your child to revise for key assessments
- Help your child to find a revision method that suits their learning style
- Ask you child to discuss and explain their NEA project
Recommended Websites
Additional Resources
GCSE Design and Technology students will need a pen, pencil, ruler, rubber and calculator
Design & Technology GCSE Revision Guide: Pocket Posters
Daydream Education's GCSE Design & Technology revision guide is a comprehensive learning tool that will provide all-year round support for homework, classwork and revision.