Knowledge

Design and Technology allows students to gain a better understanding of the world we live in, and how products are designed to help make life better. They will explore a wide range of material areas that will allow them to better understand other subjects as they will have a given context e.g. Maths and Science. Designers need to consider social, moral and environmental issues when designing and manufacturing products and these issues will be highlighted throughout the curriculum in Design and Technology. They will also study new and ever developing technologies such as smart materials and programmable components.

Ways of thinking

Design and Technology encourages students to think about things in a wide range of different concepts. They first need to analyse a problem, they will then go on a journey designing and developing a product in an iterative way, which will mean that great resilience is needed as things often don’t go right the first time. Design and Technology needs students to think in a very lateral way to reach an end goal, as there is often not one right answer to a problem, students can show great creativity in this subject.

Character

Design and Technology aims to develop independence in students, as they go on their own personal journey with their product, guided by the teacher. This means that students need to have great resilience and grit. They also need to be intrinsically motivated so that they don’t give up should they face an issue in their projects.

Experiences

Every child will have the opportunity to solve problems in a practical way. They will have the chance to design and make a product and they will also have the chance to look at existing products in great deal and analyse them so that they can take inspiration from them for their own work. Students will encounter real life problems that will link directly to their course of study in Maths and Science.

 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 
Year 9Inclusive design analysis Understand what inclusive design is and the problems people face Why it is important for a designer to include for ALL and ensure products fit ALL needs. Apply learnt knowledge to a series of activities.NEA Mini Assessment – Product analysis Understand and discuss the difference between product form and function. Complete product analysis study of elderly aid products.   NEA Mini Assessment – SketchingMaterials Understand the importance of the use of different materials and how it is made. Understand the physical properties on a range of different materials Know the primary sources of materials Can identify what materials are suitable for the production of new technology
Year 10   
Year 11   

* We currently do not offer DT at GCSE level