Design & Technology

Time Allocation
Students study design and technology for one 1 hour per week in Year 7 and two 1-hour periods per week in Year 8.

Grouping
For technology, two form groups are split into three mixed-ability teaching groups of up to 20 pupils.

Course Content
During KS3, pupils study the following projects, which are delivered through a carousel rotation:

	Year 7	Year 8
Autumn	Autumn 1: Graphical and design skills Pupils develop a range graphical design and modelling skills and complete research in order to write a design brief for an indoor herb garden and moisture sensor.	Autumn 1: Ergonomic console Pupils study a range of theoretical concepts associated with product design including ergonomics, anthropometrics and user needs. Pupils then apply this knowledge in the design of an ergonomic console controller using CAD software.
Autumn	Autumn 2: Developing CAD/CAM design skills in order to create a set of mini laser cut signs for their herb garden planter box.	Autumn 2: Mirror project Pupils develop an understanding of how to plan a sequence of events in the manufacture of a mirror. They then develop and practise their practical making skills to produce a mirror, demonstrating safe working practices.
Spring	Spring 1: Herb garden practical skills. Understanding timber materials and simple manufacturing techniques for making a box. Designing and modelling of their herb garden box.	Spring 1: Phone holder Research of iterative design principles and user-centred design. Pupils develop their iterative design and modelling skills in the creation of a phone holder, cut using the laser cutter.
Spring	Spring 2: Understand basic systems and control for an electronic device. Practical making of an electronic moisture sensor and a wooden herb garden box of their own design. Demonstrate safe working practices in a workshop environment.	Spring 2: Food nutrition and safety Further develop competency of a range of cooking techniques including selecting ingredients and using a range of cooking equipment.
Summer	Summer 1: Food nutrition and safety Develop an awareness of basic food safety, hygiene and nutrition. Develop basic kitchen skills in order to make a range of simple and nutritious snacks.	Summer 1: Food culture Examine the geographic, social and cultural influences associated with different world cuisines. Further develop their ability to select and combine ingredients to achieve foods of different tastes, textures and smells.
Summer	Summer 2: Develop competency of a range of cooking techniques including selecting ingredients and using a range of cooking equipment.	Summer 2: Mini design challenges A set of mini design challenges where pupils develop their problem- solving and creative skills in order to solve design challenge. Examples include bridge building and a propeller powered car.

Assessment
All projects at key stage 3 are intended to develop pupils’ researching, designing, making and evaluating skills. Each pupil is assessed on their knowledge and skills in these areas and will identify their strengths and areas for development. In year 7 the duration of each project is 11-12 lessons. In year 8, projects last 6-7 weeks. Throughout each unit of work, self, peer and teacher assessments are undertaken, with an emphasis on regular low-stakes testing. Books are marked no less than every 3 weeks, with feedback provided for pupils to improve.

Formal assessment
Each unit of work lasts for half a term and will be formally assessed half way through and then again at the end of the unit. In the final assessment, a national curriculum level for that piece of work will be given based on a set of descriptors.

Homework
Homework will be set weekly and consist of a combination of short and extended tasks dependent on the unit of work and will be marked according to the school protocol. At least one task each half term is an extended writing piece.

Race for the line
During year 7, pupils also design and make a simple rocket powered car using a kit provided by a STEM organisation. Jointly taught with the science, IT and maths department, they deepen their understanding of simple electronic systems as they time their vehicle with a programmable logic controller.

Images for KS3