Design and Technology at RPA

Designing a Spiral Curriculum for KS3-KS4: 

What is a Spiral Curriculum?

A spiral curriculum is a teaching approach where students revisit and build upon previously learned concepts over time. This allows for a deeper understanding and mastery of the subject matter. In the context of design, this means students will gradually learn more complex design skills and techniques as they progress from KS3 to KS4.

Key Features of Our Design Curriculum

• Clear Learning Objectives: We have carefully defined specific goals for each stage of the curriculum, ensuring that students are learning the right skills at the right time.

• Progressive Skill Development: Students will start with basic design skills in KS3 and gradually progress to more advanced techniques in KS4.

• Real-World Connections: We connect design projects to real-world problems and challenges, helping students understand the practical applications of their learning.

• Explicit Teaching and Modeling: Our teachers will clearly demonstrate design processes, techniques, and skills, providing students with a solid foundation.

• Collaborative Learning: We encourage teamwork and collaboration through group projects, fostering important skills like communication and problem-solving.

• Assessment and Feedback: We use a variety of assessment methods to monitor student progress and provide constructive feedback to help them improve.

How Will This Benefit Your Child?

By following a spiral curriculum, your child will:

• Develop a strong foundation in design principles and techniques.

• Learn how to apply their knowledge to real-world problems.

• Gain valuable skills like creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

• Be well-prepared for future studies or careers in design or related fields.

Progression:

• KS3: Basic sketching, measuring, and material handling. Simple design projects (e.g., designing a model house, creating a piece of jewelry).

• KS4: Introduction to CAD software, prototyping techniques, and user research. More complex design projects (e.g., designing a product for a specific market, creating a sustainable design).

KS5: Advanced CAD skills, design thinking, and project management. Independent design projects (e.g., designing a prototype for a new product, completing a design brief).

Design and Technology at Key Stage 3

Year 7

In Year 7,students study design and technology on a carousel.They will have a 120 minute lesson, once a week for 9 weeks in each subject area. During this time they will complete three DT projects, these projects are:

• Food: Healthy snacks

• Textiles: Mini me

• Product Design : Wooden Name Plaque

• There will also be a Computer Science topic within the Year 7 carousel

Year 8

In Year 8, students study design and technology on a carousel. They will have a 120 minute lesson, once a week for 9 weeks in each subject area. During this time they will complete three DT projects, these projects are:

• Food: Meals in Minutes

• Product Design: Plastic Clock 

• Textiles: Tote Bag

• There will also be a Computer Science topic within the Year 8 carousel

Year 9

In Year 9, students study design and technology on a carousel. They will have a 120 minute lesson, once a week for the 9 weeks in each subject area. The areas of study are:

• Food: Cooking Methods.

• Product Design: Mechanical Toy

• Textiles: Recycling Wall Art

• There will also be a Computer Science topic within the Year 8 carousel.

Each project set will focus on building key skills needed for KS4 within each subject area.

Design and Technology at Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, students can take exams in GCSE Art Textiles, Level 1/2  Constructing the Built Environment and Level 1/2 Hospitality and Catering.

Art Textiles (AQA)

• Decorative techniques

• Garment construction

• Investigating, researching the work of others

• Generating designs

• Producing final products such as cushion covers, wall hanging, costumes etc.

Constructing the Built Environment (WJEC)

• Safety and Security 

• Practical 

• Hospitality and Catering (WJEC)

• Knowledge and understanding of the hospitality and catering industry

• Safely plan, prepare, cook and present nutritional dishes

Students in KS4 have two 120 minute lessons a week. All will receive homework on a regular basis. Due to the nature of the practical subjects there will often be project work to do and students will be expected to work on this in class and in their own time. Students will be regularly assessed using the GCSE and vocational award assessment criteria throughout Year 10 and 11, practice exam questions and past papers will be used where appropriate.

Future Careers