Design & Technology

Length of Course : The third year of a three year Key Stage 3 course

Course description and aims

In Year 9, Design & Technology is made up of three component parts: Cooking and Nutrition, Resistant Materials and Textiles. The work done closely matches that of the Food Preparation and Nutrition and Design Technology, and aims to best prepare learners for the rigors of the courses, should a learner decide to select it as a GCSE option.

Each component carefully builds upon skills taught in Year 7 and 8 to engage and challenge all learners. Very challenging practical work is undertaken, increasing our learners’ skills base further giving them the confidence to design, plan and complete practical work independently, providing them with valuable skills when they come to leave home and go to university.

Main concepts and topics covered

- Food Poisoning Bacteria

- Intercultural Foods Project

- Research Methods

- Computer Aided Design (CAD)

- Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM)

- Working to tolerance

- A wider knowledge of designers

- Modelling of ideas

Contents

Cooking and Nutrition, Resistant Materials and Textiles are allocated 11 weeks’ curriculum time respectively. Each will be taught consecutively according to the Faculty timetable.

In Cooking and Nutrition, learners study a core of theory work that focuses on examining food poisoning bacteria in detail, including the conditions required for bacterial growth as well as the effect on the human body. Skills taught in Year 9 focus on making bread and pasta products through a Seasonal Food theme, learners produce everything from scratch.

Resistant Materials focus on developing learners’ own ideas and creativity. They are set a challenge to design a desk tidy. They research the needs of their clients. They design the shape, size and aesthetics with their final product coming from their research. CAD/CAM in the design process to plan all parts to fit together whether machine or handmade components. Products are tested and evaluated.

CAD/CAM skills are developed in Year 7 and 8. Learners are encouraged to develop original design ideas around a theme of their choice. Ideas are modelled to scale to allow feedback and analysis of design ideas, and ultimately, the manufacture of plans using CAD/CAM.

Textiles allows learners to create an applique wall hanging following a method of construction closely and adding their own individual elements to the design. A personal theme is identified and developed by students. The nature of fabrics is explored alongside building confidence in the use of sewing machines. The properties of fabrics are matched to the students design aspirations to realise an applique wall hanging. Students are encouraged to use embroidery skills gained in Year 7 and 8 to further enhance their final product. A final evaluation gives insight into whether students have achieved their goals.

Course outcomes

The study of Design & Technology encourages your child to develop the following skills:

· Enhanced practical cookery skills

· Working with a variety of food groups

· Research Skills

· Planning Skills

· Analytical/Evaluation skills

· Problem solving

· Team and Paired Work

· Enhanced practical skills

Types of assessment

Student progress is assessed both formatively (as part of an on-going process throughout lessons) and summative (at the end of every topic).

Assessment at Key Stage 3 is measured against assessment rubrics and progress maps. Students are encouraged to become involved in the assessment of their own work and that of peers.

PAR – we use the PAR marking model across the senior curriculum. PAR Positive, Action, Response is a three phase assessment model. The first is some positive feedback, the second is an area on which to improve and the third is what the student will implement to improve it. PAR marking in Design Technology can take the form of self assessment, peer assessment on an ongoing basis with regular teacher assessment during and at the end of each project. Sometimes PAR marking can take the form of verbal feedback by the teacher.

An end of year exam is undertaken in Design & Technology to assess learners in a summative manner.

Homework

Homework is set weekly and requires a minimum of 30 minutes effort. Homework is always linked to classwork and is an important part of the learning experience

Methodology

A variety of teaching styles are used to cater to the different learning styles of learners, including Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic. These are often employed together, allowing learners with different learning styles to all progress as expected during lessons.

Grading policy

Students are marked using levels and grade descriptors found in the topic specific rubric.

In Design and Technology students are marked within each component part.

Additional expectations

Learners are expected to bring an appropriate container to take their food home in when undertaking practical lessons.