Design and Technology Curriculum Intent at Noadswood
Design and Technology at Noadswood is taught across Years 7 to 9 and then at 10 and 11 if it has been chosen as an optional subject. The course follows the National curriculum guidelines, where students have the opportunity to study aspects of Design and Technology to foster a stimulating learning environment using creativity and imagination whilst gaining knowledge about materials, processes and creative design thinking. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical understanding of design whilst implementing an iterative design process which encourages originality.
Students will study a broad range of Design & Technology subject areas in Years 7, 8 and 9, this course is planned to provide knowledge which allows them to be resourceful, innovative and enterprising and builds the foundations for students to study for GCSE Design and Technology and GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition in Years 10 and 11.
Students use a range of materials, tools and equipment to design and improve products found in the world around them. They use a range of Strategies to think and design creatively when faced with problems and challenges, can make informed choices as consumers of products and technology. They also Evaluate and understand the key principles of design and the impact design and technology has on society.
Content
During the study of Design and Technology, the following skills and knowledge are assessed though a variety of projects:
- Design
Understanding how to conduct analysis of existing products
Explain what research is and why it is important in design
Be able to create a specification from research
Understand what a design brief is and how it follows on from a design problem
To be able to produce a detailed piece of research into a design problem which investigates the context of the problem, the user’s requirements and existing products.
Consider target users and conduct appropriate market research.
Annotate design ideas and show links to the specification and research.
Represent design ideas using a range of techniques including sketching, modelling and CAD.
Use relevant research to inform and develop creative design Ideas.
- Making
Work Safely and independently using a range of tools and equipment to produce high quality products.
Being confident marking out, cutting, shaping and joining different types of material.
- Evaluating
Reflecting on their progress and ability
Analyzing and evaluating the work of others to influence their own work.
- Technical Knowledge
Understand the main categories and properties of common Design and Technology Material areas.
Be able to identify the impact Design & Technology has on wider social, environmental and moral issues.
Course Content
Year 7 – Design and Technology
In technology students rotate across the year learning about materials, computing, graphic design, textiles and food technology.
In materials students learn about basic woodworking skills alongside a design process.
In computing students are introduced to basic computer coding and website design.
In graphic design students manufacture a board game, developing a product from an idea.
In textiles students learn about basic sewing techniques alongside the design process. Finally, in the food technology rotation students learn about basic food hygiene, kitchen safety and making some basic dishes.
Students experience the five rotations across the year.
Year 8 – Design and Technology
In technology students rotate across the year learning about materials, computing, graphic design, systems and food technology.
In materials students learn about basic metal working alongside explanations of the processes when manufacturing.
In computing students are introduced to Python coding and Photoshop skills and techniques.
In graphic design students build on the Year 7 work with a pop-out card.
In systems students are introduced to electronic skills alongside the design process to manufacture a USB powered cube lamp.
In the food technology rotation students build on their previous skills making more complex dishes and learning about nutritional values.
Students experience the five rotations across the year.
Year 9 – Design and Technology
Autumn
Pupils begin year 9 by undertaking the Design Museums Design Ventura Project to work in groups and design and manufacture a product which could be sold in the Design Museum’s shop in London.
We then move onto making a Desk Lamp. This involves practicing woodworking skills, the use of the Laser Cutter and Soldering the electronic circuit.
We also start to investigate the design process in more detail to gain an understanding of user requirements.
Year 9 – Food Preparation and Nutrition
Autumn
This term we cover proteins and fats as our main areas of study.
This involves understanding the theory behind these areas, and undertaking practical work which supports this learning.
Pupils learn how to denature proteins and portion a whole chicken.
Year 9 – Design and Technology
Spring
Pupils continue to expand their knowledge of working with a range of materials from Timbers, Metals and Polymers.
We undertake some more advanced wood working skills in the manufacture of some small wooden boxes using different types of timber and work with plastics to look at folding and bending parts to create some different shapes using the strip heaters.
Technical Knowledge is expanded to look at the different types of materials and their properties. We also begin exploring different designers and their influences.
Year 9 – Food Preparation and Nutrition
Spring
This term students look at carbohydrates focussing on breads, pasta and rice.
We undertake several practical tasks including producing different sweet and savoury rice dishes and producing fresh pasta from scratch and then using this in their practical work.
They will have an understanding the role gluten plays in these.
Year 9 – Design and Technology
Summer
Pupils look at card modelling to show prototypes this term and also expand their drawing skills to help build towards being able to show ideas and developments of product designs.
Practical skills are built upon and students complete either a Pewter Casting Project or a Headphone Wrap project. These both involve the pupils designing and manufacturing using CAD design to produce either an Acrylic product and complete the packaging for this, or a Mould for the casting of a Pewter Key ring.
Each class will attempt one of these projects, with the second project to be completed in the beginning of year 10 if chosen as an option subject.
Year 9 – Food Preparation and Nutrition
Summer
Pupils will look at the different types of pastry and producing sweet and savoury dishes with these.
Year 10 – Design and Technology
Autumn
Pupils begin to complete one of two projects; either the Pewter Casting Project or the Headphone Wrap project. These both involve the pupils designing and manufacturing using CAD design to produce either an Acrylic product and completing packaging for this, or a Mould for the casting of a Pewter Key ring.
We move on to practicing taking a simple design brief and producing a product which meets this. Pupils are set the brief to design a small wooden box with a limited size that must fulfil a specific purpose and include the use of a selection of wooden joints which we have previously practiced manufacturing.
Work continues to expand on the understanding of the Technical Knowledge of the subject specific materials and the core topics.
Year 10 – GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
Autumn
Pupils revisit some skills and knowledge previously covered to ensure they have a good understanding of the theory and practical work required as they build towards undertaking the Non-Examined Assessment tasks in year 11.
The pupils undertake a range of tasks from fish cakes to pastry. Pupils investigate and work on food from differing cultures to understand food choices.
Year 10 – Design and Technology
Spring
Pupils will start to undertake a Mock piece of Non-Examined Assessment.
The NEA is worth 50% of the overall GCSE grade and puts in to practice all of the design and manufacturing skills the pupils have learnt during the past three years.
The pupils are set an example of a design brief as used by the exam board and challenged to undertake the process they will need to follow later this year to Investigate, Design, Manufacture and Evaluate a product.
This process is teacher led with detailed example pages provided on Frog. Once pupils begin the NEA final piece next term, the teacher will only be able to offer general guidance to the pupils so this term provides them with some hands on guided experience of the exam boards expectations.
Year 10 – GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
Spring
Pupils will have a chance to produce a mock example of the scenario based Non-Examined Assessment.
Pupils are set a task to research, design develop and produce a two or three course meal for a specific event. They learn how to research around a set topic and how to conduct a detailed sensory analysis. This work will see them complete a whole piece of the NEA from start to finish, including practicing and making final dishes of their choosing.
Year 10 – Design and Technology
Summer
Pupils will complete their mock Non-Examined assessment.
From June onwards the exam board provide the final design Contexts for the NEA, and pupils start to investigate these to start their Final NEA piece to be submitted for marking next spring.
By the end of the summer term pupils will have completed their research in to existing products and created user profiles. They will also have narrowed their context to create a design brief and specification for their product.
Year 10 – GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
Summer
During the summer term pupils begin to look at the investigation based element of the Non-Examined Assessment.
This involves the pupils undertaking a range of substitutions of an ingredient to a product and testing the outcome to observe changes.
Pupils continue to work on practical and theory topics, and we have a particular focus on the presentation of completed dishes.
Year 11 – Design and Technology
Autumn
Pupils continue to work on the Non-Examined Assessment element of their course.
This counts for the first 50% of the marks available towards their GCSE.
The Aim for pupils this terms has been to arrive at a point before the new year where they have completed initial ideas and started prototyping their design ready to start the manufacture of the their final design early next year.
We will also pause to look at the style and types of questions likely to feature in the exam paper. Pupils will be provided with details of places to look for revision topics such as GCSE bitesize and Seneca Learning. This will cumulate in pupils taking their mock exam paper during November.
Year 11 – GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
Autumn
At the beginning of September the exam board set the scenario from the Non-Examined Assessment for the year.
Pupils will conduct the research and design of their dishes based on this scenario. They will undertake some trial dishes to prepare and practice the cooking skills required to meet the requirements of the NEA.
Pupils also undertake some revision of the theory topics ahead of the Mock exams and complete these in November.
Year 11 – Design and Technology
Spring
Work continues on the NEA during this term - the deadline for the completion of the Non-Examined Assessment being the last day of this Spring Term.
From this point the work is marked and assessed before moderation.
Pupils work on the manufacture of the products as well as writing up how they have undertaken this.
The final element of the NEA is the evaluation of their work.
Year 11 – GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
Spring
The key element of the Non-Examined Assessment undertaken during the Spring term is the final practical.
Pupils spend the day cooking and presenting their dishes for assessment.
This is completed following the final write up of time plans and the work undertaken last term.
Following their practical element pupils evaluate their food and complete the NEA.
We then switch towards revision of key topics for the final exam.
Year 11 – Design and Technology
Summer
For the summer term we undertake revision of the topics covered over the last two years as part of the core Technical Knowledge and Subject Specific materials knowledge.
This is completed though a mixture of teacher led discussions, pupil investigation and practical demonstration of different tools and processes.
Pupils sit their exam before the May half term.
Year 11 – GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
Summer
For the summer term we undertake revision of the topics covered over the last two years as part of the preparation for the exam.
This is completed though a mixture of teacher led discussions, pupil investigation and practical demonstration of different processes and techniques.
Years 7, 8 and 9 - Design and Technology
Problem solving and practical skills are essential life skills and allow students to see the impact of Design & Technology on daily life and the wider world.
We aim to develop independent and resourceful students.
Practical skills and manufacturing capabilities are explored to develop understanding of the design process and show how technology makes an essential contribution to creativity, culture and wealth.
Year 7, 8 and 9 - Food Preparation and Nutrition
During Years 7, 8 and 9 students are taught how to prepare and cook safely, applying principles of nutrition and healthy eating.
Students cook a variety of dishes to enable them to lead a healthy lifestyle.
They will also know and understand the nutrients and functions of ingredients in the dishes they cook or consume.
Pupils will know food is produced and the impact this has on the environment.
Years 10 and 11 - GCSE Design & Technology
By Year 10, all Design and Technology students should be able to apply the iterative design process to provide a solution to given problems.
They will develop the ability to argue, justify and present with confidence and clarity their choices in the work they design.
Exam: Written Paper 1h 45mins (50%)
NEA: Design & Make Task (50%)
Years 10 and 11 - 4 GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition
By Year 10, Food Preparation and Nutrition students should understand the role of nutrition in our daily lives and be able to plan and produce well considered meals.
Exam: Written Paper (50%)
NEA 1 Food Investigation (15%)
NEA 2 Food Preparation assessment (35%)
Impact
Practical work outcomes are assessed throughout the course using clear and simple assessment criteria. Regular knowledge checks are used to assess students’ understanding and help reinforce knowledge. Peer and self-assessments are used throughout Years 7, 8 and 9. In Years 10 and 11 theory units are positioned alongside practical outcomes the students produce.