Design & Technology
Why Study Design & Technology or Engineering?
The world in which we live is full of products that have been designed to satisfy the needs and wants of different groups of people in our society. Modern consumers make increasingly challenging demands on the world’s resources and as a result designers and engineers now have a vital role to play in the design and fabrication of appropriate solutions to new and increasingly technological problems. Only the best individuals will be able to create products for the 21st century that are ‘fit for purpose’ and support a sustainable safe and healthy lifestyle for us all.
Staff
Mr D Greenwood – Head of D&T and Engineering and BTEC Quality Nominee Assessor for BTEC Level 2 Engineering
Mrs R Bradley – Second in Department/Teacher of Textiles
Mr D Owen – Teacher of Product Design and Engineering and Lead Internal Verifier for BTEC Level 2 Engineering
Mrs C Hughes – Teacher of Product Design and Engineering
Mrs J Harding – Teacher of Food Technology
Mrs C Maguire – Teacher of Food Technology
Mrs A Myles – Teacher of Food Technology
Mrs L Gaertner – Teacher of Graphics
Mr P Bullen – Technician for D&T and Engineering
Subjects in the Main School
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
In Year 7 and 8, pupils will work with a variety of material, tools and processes to develop their D&T capability. Projects will be run in specialist D&T rooms on a carousel cycle over nine week blocks. All students will be given thorough demonstrations in correct tool and equipment use as required and expected to maintain their own risk assessment checklist in their D&T folders.
At KS3 each student will have the opportunity to design and make quality products in four different material areas each year. This will help student to prepare and make informed option choices during
Year 8 for their GCSE studies.
The material areas currently offered subject to appropriate resources and staff being available are:
Electronics Products
• Year 7 – Mini key light
• Year 8 – ‘Envirobug’ environmental sensors
Food Preparation & Nutrition
• Healthy snacks & basic nutrition
• Multi -cultural foods and origin
Graphics
• Year 7 -Superhero project
• Year 8- Pop up festival ticket
Product Design
• Year 7 – desk tidy
• Year 8 – clocks
Textiles
• Year 7- Stress buster
• Year 8 – Batik
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Our GCSE Design and Technology specification sets out the knowledge, understanding and skills required to undertake the iterative design process of exploring, creating and evaluating. The majority of the specification should be delivered through the practical application of this knowledge and understanding.
The department offers two GCSE courses:
Design & Technology (1-9)
Food Preparation & Nutrition (1-9)
The department currently offers a Level 2 qualification in Engineering for those individuals considering a modern apprenticeship after school.
Year 9 pupils complete a foundation/preparation year in the specific D&T subject(s) of their choice, prior to starting their formal GCSE studies in Year 10. The focus of this year is the safe working practise across a range of tools, materials and processes to be used in year 10 and 11.
This year includes:
• Opportunities to refine basic knowledge and understanding of the subject
• Develop practical skills through longer more involved project work design to prepare learners for the distinctive non exam component present in all out KS4 courses
• Raise awareness of sustainability and how all design needs to consider its impact on the planet, people and ecosystems
Examination Board and Courses
Both GCSE courses are from the AQA suite of specifications.
The level 2 qualification is a BTEC Extended certificate in Engineering awarded by EDEXCEL.
From September 2018 it is our intention to offer an AQA Technical Award in Materials Technology including Engineering to replace the BTEC Level 2 qualification which is being withdrawn in 2020.
Examination and Assessment Arrangements
Design & Technology (1-9)
What are the themes of study?
In Year 10 and 11 learning experiences focus on:
Core technical principles
Learners are expected to be familiar with a range of resistant and pliant materials, how they can be shaped and worked to create products fit for purpose.
Specialist technical principles
Learners develop a greater in depth appreciation of one material category or area and how it is used to manufacture products in different quantity using hand, machine and computer manufacturing systems.
Designing and making principles
Learners study the theory of design looking at such topics as:
Anthropometrics & ergonomics
How will I be assessed?
Unit 1 – Written Paper
50% of total marks
2 hour exam
100 marks
Unit 2 – Non Exam Assessment (NEA)
50% of total marks
Approximately 30-35 hours or controlled assessment time
100 marks
Consists of a single design and make activity from a range of AQA approved tasks issued at the end of year 10.
Food preparation & nutrition (1-9)
What are the themes of study?
In Year 10 and 11 learning experiences focus on:
Food Preparation Skills
These are intended to be integrated into the five sections:
• Food, nutrition and health
• Food science
• Food safety
• Food choice
• Food provenance
Food Investigation
Learners develop understanding of the working characteristics, functional and chemical properties of ingredients
Food Preparation Assessment
Learners will prepare, cook and present a final menu of three dishes within a single period of no more than three hours, planning in advance how this will be achieved.
How will I be assessed?
Unit 1 – Written Paper
50% of total marks
1hour 45 minutes exam
100 marks
Task 1 – Non-Exam Assessment (NEA)
15% of total marks – food investigation
A written or word processed report with images of 1,500 – 2,000 words
Task 2 – Non Exam Assessment (NEA)
35% of total marks – food preparation assessment
A written or electronic portfolio including photographs of three prepared dishes
BTEC Level 2 in Engineering
What are the themes of study?
In Year 10 and 11 learning experiences focus on:
Unit 2 – Investigation of an Engineered Product
Learners are expected to investigate a commercially manufactured produced. The look and materials, tools and processes used in its fabrication. There is also an expectation to consider how the product is used and interacts with a human user
Unit 7 – Machining Techniques
Learners engage with a variety of engineering equipment and processes to manufacture a tool maker’s clamp to hold and fix work during machining operations. Students work from formal engineering drawings, applying all appropriate health and safety procedures to realise a quality product fit for purpose.
How will I be assessed?
Online Exam
25% or total mark
50 minute on line exam
50 marks
Coursework
75% of total marks
2 units
In order to pass any unit each student must present evidence that demonstrates they have met all learning outcomes to a pass level.
Assessment will make use of evidence generated in practical activities; work experience and realistic workplace scenarios.
All learners will be required to present evidence of their achievement through folder work, practical work and performance observation within set time frames.
Technical Award in Materials Technology L1/2
What are the themes of study?
In Year 10 and 11 learning experiences focus on:
Skills Demonstration
Learners are expected to put together a portfolio of evidence documenting their experience acquiring the following skills:
• Preparing materials for marking out and hand tool fabrication
• Forming, bending or laminating
• Casting or moulding
• Permanent and semi-permanent joining techniques
• Machining using power tools including CAM
• Quality assurance and Quality control
• Finishing techniques
• teamwork
Extended Making Project
Building on the skills acquired in year 9 and especially year 10, learners develop still further by:
• Selecting and justifying material choice
• Selecting and justifying joining techniques
• Selecting and justifying finishes
• Planning for manufacture
• Health and safety issues
• Communication skills
How will I be assessed?
Unit 1- Skills Demonstration
30% of total marks
Teacher assessed
Unit 2 – Extended Making Project
30% of total marks
Teacher assessed
Unit 3 – Fundamentals of Material Technology
405 of total marks
Externally assessed examination
1 hour 30 minutes
96 marks
Subjects in the Sixth Form
Course entry requirements
Students considering an AS/A2 course in design & technology would be expected to provide evidence of attainment to at least a ‘B’ grade at in the related GCSE course.
Course content AS A2
The Associated Sixth Form offers courses at Advanced level and Level 3 in:
AQA A level Design and Technology (product design)
AQA A level Design and Technology (fashion and textiles)
WJEC Level 3 Food Science and Nutrition
Enrichment
The department provides a variety of opportunities for student to enhance and extend their technological activities through a variety of trips and events.
Examples include:
• Visits to the Clothes Show in Birmingham
• The Annual Harrogate Rotary Technology competitions
Departmental Facilities
The department is located in a prominent single location on the ground floor. It consists of 5 specialist D&T classrooms, 2 open study areas with fully networked PCs, a department staff base and technician area.
G20 – Textile Technology
G21 – Product Design & Resistant Materials
G23 – Engineering & Resistant Materials
G24 – ICT suite (Part of the ICT department located in D&T)
G25 – Electronics & Product Design
G26 – Food Technology