Design and Technology at RPA

The Design & Technology team at Richmond Park Academy encourages students to adopt an imaginative, creative and practical approach to problem-solving. This is achieved through designing, making and evaluating products.

It is important that students experience a wide range of technological challenges which will encourage them to think through practical problems before developing potential solutions.

One of the most popular elements of design and technology at Richmond Park Academy is the making of practical outcomes. We pride ourselves in our ability to get the best out of our students who, year after year, produce stunning products after going through the all-important design process.

We currently study three areas at Key Stage 3 (KS3) ; these are textiles, food and resistant materials. This year students can study GCSE Textiles and Level 1 & 2 Constructing the Built Environment and Level 1 & 2 Hospitality and Catering.

Each year we aim to enrich our students' learning with visits and extracurricular opportunities. We have weekly clubs in Textiles and Gardening. 

We also always look to develop cross-curricular links with other subject areas within the school and will continue to do this where possible.

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.

Who to contact

Parveer Braich pbraich@richmondparkacademy.org