Curriculum

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

| Education | Curriculum | Design & Technology
Our Design and Technology curriculum focuses on developing practical skills within key material areas, allowing pupils to learn about industry standards and manufacture products with high quality outcomes. Pupils learn about commercial processes and careers in related industries, as well as developing core transferable skills, such as collaboration and communication. Pupils get to grips with using current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments.

Pupils will use their creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs.

Pupils will study the following key areas:

  • Core Technical Principles
  • Specialist Technical Principles
  • Design and making Principles
Curriculum Overview
Year 7 Year 8
  •  CUBEES – Culture, Society and Environment
  • Mechanical Devices
  • Different types of Movement
  • Changing Magnitude and Direction of Force
  • Industry
  • People
  • Production Techniques and Systems
Year 9 Year 10 Year 11
  • Material Categories
  • Composites
  • Timbers
  • Polymers
  • Papers and Boards
  • Alloys and Metals
  • Modern Materials
  • Smart Materials
  • Design Brief
  • Research
  • Product Analysis
  • Design Specification
  • Creating Proposals
  • Development
  • Designing Safe Products
  • Drawing Techniques
  • Machine Tools
  • Forming and Bending
  • Casting and Moulding
  • Assembly and Finishing
  • Screws, Bolts and Nails
  • Metals, Plastic, Wood, Boards
  • CAD/CAM
  • Composites and New Materials
  • Fixtures and Fittings
  • Adhesives
  • Electrical Systems
  • Mechanical Systems
  • Social and Environmental Issues
  • Health and Safety
  • Scale of Production
  • Exam Preparation and Revision
Assessment

Internal assessments take place every half-term.

KS4 Exam Board Specification: AQA GCSE Design and Technology (8552)

Enrichment Offer

The Department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the Academy in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model.

Useful Resources and Revision Support