Technology
Key Stage 3 Design and Technology
All year groups have DT lessons for 1 hour every 2 weeks and will experience both practical and theoretical lessons giving them a wide range of knowledge and skills to effectively tackle design problems. They will gain an understanding of the design process and the different elements involved, and they will put this into practice by completing a range of different projects.
Year 7
In Year 7 students will complete 2 projects, a wooden phone and stationery holder and an acrylic Clock. In these 2 projects they will learn to use a range of different equipment and machines accurately and safely including coping saws, the buffing machine and the scroll saw. They will also gain experience and knowledge working with polymers and woods such as Acrylic and Plywood.
Year 8
In Year 8 students will be introduced to a piece of CAD (computer aided design) software called 2D design. They will learn how to accurately use a range of tools on 2D design to create creative ideas for their acrylic Mood Light. Year 8 students will also gain an understanding of how to use the laser cutter safely and effectively by creating a cut out design used in the production of the mood light. In addition to the use of the laser cutter students are required to solder their LED light and learn the basics of electronics. The second project is to design and make a wood and mechanical toy. During this project students will learn how to mark out accurately using equipment such as tri-squares and marking gauges as well as becoming competent on the sanding machine.
Year 9
In Year 9 students undertake larger more complex projects, 1st project being a wooden Lantern which will recall and build on the use of CAD and electronics. They will gain an understanding of electronics and the skills needed to solder a circuit together effectively. Year 9 will also build on their wood working skills from Years 7 and 8 to create the main body of the lantern, including using the pillar drill independently. In the second project, students will be designing and creating a bird’s house, this will introduce them to vital elements from the KS4 Design and Technology specification.
Enrichment
Currently there are two sessions of DT club.
Monday - Year 7
Tuesday – Year 8 and 9
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Key Stage 3 Food Technology
All year groups have Food Technology lessons for 1 hour every 2 weeks and will experience both practical and theoretical lessons giving them a wide range of knowledge and skills to effectively make a range of food products. They will gain an understanding of the making process and develop an understanding of food science and nutrition.
Year 7
In Food Technology, students learn about safety, food hygiene and healthy eating and make a range of practical dishes currently includes coleslaw, pasta salad, scones, fruit crumble, stir fry, chilli and sausage rolls which enable them to learn how to use basic equipment, the cooker hob and the oven.
Year 8
In Year 8 students further develop their practical skills by making a range of more demanding sweet and savoury products including some main meals such as Bolognese, Fajitas, meatballs, bread-based pizza, curry, cheesy pinwheels and burgers, focusing again on food hygiene, safe production and healthy eating.
Year 9
In Year 9 students develop technical practical skills which prepare them for the GCSE in food preparation and nutrition. Students learn about food science, the function of ingredients and investigate the functional and chemical characteristics of food through both theory and practical lessons. Some of the dishes currently included are savoury tartlets, fruit tarts and mince pies with shortcrust pastry, bread shapes, Chelsea buns and pesto whirls to illustrate bread making, meringues, mac n cheese to illustrate a roux sauce and creamy pesto pasta.
Enrichment
2024 will see the addition of an after-school cooking club for KS3 students
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GCSE Design and Technology
Over the 2 years students will gain in depth knowledge of a range of materials and processes from small scale to industrial scale. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise.
Students will build on their practical skills and knowledge throughout Year 10, ready to put this into practice for their Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) which we start in June of Year 10. The NEA is worth 50% of their overall grade for Design and Technology and they will be assessed on their investigating, designing, developing, making and evaluating skills. Example contexts which we have been given in the past for NEA are: outdoor living, aiding people with disabilities and sustainability.
GCSE Design and Technology Specification:
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
Food Preparation and Nutrition is an exciting and creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. This qualification focuses on nurturing students' practical cookery skills to give them a strong understanding of nutrition. The content learnt in the theory lessons will be complemented and supported by the products produced in practical lessons. It provides learners with a core depth of knowledge and a range of specialist and general skills that will support their progression to further learning and employment.
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition Specification:
Enrichment
- Clubs on offer include:
- KS4 practical technical skills sessions – to support practical learning at GCSE.
- KS4/5 – The Great Yorkshire Show trip – students get the opportunity to find out more about food provenance and visit the food market to engage with professional chefs and give them ideas for their coursework projects at both KS4/5.
Useful links:
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zdn9jhv
- https://www.technologystudent.com/
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zby2bdm
A Level Design and Technology
Product Design is an exciting opportunity to continue your studies in Design and Technology. In addition to further improving your skills in designing and making, this A-level will extend students knowledge of materials and the design process and give them a greater understanding of the role and responsibility of the designer in the real world. This creative and thought-provoking qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers. Especially those in the creative industries. Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers. In Year 12 will involve a number of mini projects to build on pervious skills and knowledge learnt at GCSE alongside the theoretical knowledge needed for both exams at the end of Year 13. After February half term of Year 12 students will start their NEA project which is worth 50% of their overall grade. They will research into a context of their choosing and design, develop and make a prototype linked to a problem they have identified.
Over the 2 year course students will cover topics which include; materials and their applications, modern and industrial scales of practice, digital design and manufacture, health and safety, protecting designs and intellectual property, design for manufacturing, enterprise and marketing in the development of products, design communication, methods and processes, technology and cultural changes, critical analysis and evaluation, equipment and processes, design for manufacture and project management and national and international standards in product design.
A Level Design and Technology Specification:
Enrichment
In Year 12 students carry out vital primary research for their NEA with a visit to IKEA. They also have the opportunity to attend the Great Yorkshire Show visit where students will experience demonstrations of different crafts and emerging technologies.
Useful Links:
- AQA | Design and Technology | A-level | Design and Technology: Product Design
- https://www.vam.ac.uk/
Level 3 Food and Nutrition
The Level 3 food science and nutrition qualification is an exciting and interesting opportunity to continue studies in food and nutrition. In addition to further improving skills in designing and making, this qualification will extend students understanding of the science of food, nutrition and nutritional needs in a wide range of contexts. Students will use creative thinking skills to create dishes demonstrating flair and sophistication relating to specific briefs. Not only will this develop experience of a key life skill, it will further apply nutritional knowledge learnt at GCSE, to different situations and dietary requirements.
The food industry is constantly developing and this subject enables students to expand their understanding of this in relation to nutrition, diets and the impact of external factors such as exercise, age and the industry. The learning will be done through on–going practical sessions to support theoretical knowledge, as well as producing high quality food items. Food safety is paramount when taking part in practical activities and as part of this students will take a Level 2 hygiene and safety qualification to support their learning.
Throughout this course student will develop a deeper understanding of the functions of food and the impact it has on the body as well as the current issues in the food and nutrition industry today.
Level 3 Food and Nutrition Specification:
Enrichment
- The Great Yorkshire Show trip – students get the opportunity to find out more about food provenance and visit the food market to engage with professional chefs and give them ideas for their coursework projects at both KS4/5.
- Teesside University visit - taster session for a Food and Nutrition degree, and the opportunity for Year 13 students to get involved with a residential at Teesside. Students learn about the food and nutrition course as well as get a taste of university life.
Useful links:
