Design and Technology

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.

Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

The design technology curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

At Key stage 3, through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. They undertake projects from a range of domestic and local contexts [for example, the home, health, leisure and culture], and industrial contexts [for example, engineering, manufacturing, construction, food, energy, agriculture (including horticulture) and fashion].

Year 7	Design Technology: Food
Learning Outcomes	In Year 7 Food students learn the basic preparation skills and methods used in food preparation. Students are introduced to food science and make links to the dishes they are making. Nutrition and health underpins the course and this links to each product made throughout the year. Students also learn how to adapt meals to meet the needs of others. Through practical application they learn about health and safety within the practical classroom. In order to demonstrate their understanding they prepare and make a variety of dishes, using a wide range of methods.
Topics taught	Nutrition and Health Eatwell guide, Gov 8 guidelines, 5 a day Practical skills Use of the cooker Food Science Basic prep and skills
Year 7	Design Technology: Textiles
Learning Outcomes	During Year 7, students learn about designing for a client. They have the opportunity to carry out a range of textile practical skills from learning how to use the sewing machine to printing onto fabric using a sublimation printer.
Topics taught	Cushions – All about me CAD/CAM Tie Dye Sublimation printing Machine and Hand sewing.
Year 7	Design Technology: Materials
Learning Outcomes	In Year 7 students are encouraged to use their creativity to create products that are innovative and solve relevant problems within a variety of familiar contexts, considering their own and others' needs, wants and values.
Topics taught	Project 1- The Pencil case project. This exciting and challenging project allows students to use both man- made and natural woods and a range of manufacturing techniques to produce a product with a hinge mechanism. During the project student’s get an introduction to presentation and drawing techniques and begin to learn British standard dimensioning Project 2- The Lamp project. This project allows students to familiarise themselves with environmental design considerations. Following a small research project, students create a lamp using card and assemble a simple electronic circuit housed within the card structure. Lessons in this project explore simple circuits and component functions.
Year 8	Food Preparation and Nutrition
Learning Outcomes	In year 8 students will develop their understanding of the science behind cooking methods as well as nutritional value of ingredients. Students will prepare and cook a range of predominantly savoury dishes and develop key practical skills throughout the year as well as building on their knowledge of health and safety. They will have the opportunity to work with a range of equipment and develop new techniques.
Topics Taught	Rules and Routines, Health and Safety Nutrients Animal Welfare Food Choice Sensory Testing Multicultural Ingredients Bread Pastry
Year 8	Design Technology: Materials
Learning Outcomes	In Year 8 students are encouraged to become more ambitious in their design work and build upon the skills and knowledge learnt in year 7. Students use their confidence gained to create products with a higher degree of quality.
Topics taught	Project 1-Earphone holder. This project allows the students to use their imaginations to create an earphone holder. There is an introduction to CAD and CAM, laser cutter as well as further knowledge on quality control. There are also opportunities to widen their knowledge on processes and applications of many types of plastics. Mini project-noughts and crosses board. This project focuses on both man-made and natural woods and the processes and applications associated with them. A small wooden noughts and crosses board is produced using a range of tools and processes. Project 2- The Sweet dispenser. This project incorporates mechanisms into a woodwork project. A variety of tools and machines are used to skilfully create a wooden sweet dispenser whilst considering movement, mechanisms and health and safety aspects. The introduction of a Perspex cover brings a new material and constraints to this project.