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Course Overview
Course Overview
Year 9 Design & Technology builds upon pupils’ experience of DST (Design & Systems Thinking) in Year 7, broadening and deepening their knowledge and understanding of the diverse aspects of this rigorous and engaging subject area. This is a perfect option for students who love to solve problems, explore how the world works, communicate their ideas and express themselves creatively.
The Year 9 course immerses students in all aspects of the design process, experienced via various exciting and challenging projects. The emphasis in all work carried out during this GCSE foundation year is on developing skills and confidence whilst tackling ever more demanding design-based problems. Each project has a product design outcome, relating work done in school to real-world issues and contextual challenges.
In Year 9, there is an increased emphasis on the multimedia aspects of the subject, including presentations, vector graphics, 3D CAD, desktop publishing, isometric drawing skills and more. This is coupled with a broadening of the materials and processes available to students to provide a solid foundation for further study of Design and Technology at GCSE and beyond.
Course Content
Course Content
The Year 9 course includes:
• Production of a commercially viable product using IT, Desktop Publishing, CAD and CAM to aid research, target marketing, designing, manufacturing, advertising and promotion.
• Development of product design skills, through assembly design and construction of a range of appropriate products.
• Enhancement of planning, communication, practical and time-management skills.
• Learning how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.
Skills & Application
Skills & Application
All of the above elements are introduced appropriately via challenging product design briefs, which involve students having to work both individually and collaboratively at various times during the course. Theoretical knowledge and supporting written work is delivered alongside practical experiences. Graphical communication skills are developed within each project, building the foundation for GCSE. Extensive use is made of Google Classroom and Chromebooks to deliver the curriculum, with students using their devices to document, record and save their work in the cloud.
Following Year 9, students have the opportunity to study GCSE Product Design, which can be followed through to A Level. The Year 9 course affords students with the perfect opportunity to develop their analytical, reflective, practical and creative skills through exploration of new technologies and new ways in which to express themselves.
Inquisitiveness, creativity and determination are the key qualities required for you to succeed at this level - and a desire to have fun!
FAQs:
FAQs:
Isn't D&T just woodwork and metalwork?
Isn't D&T just woodwork and metalwork?
This is one of the most frustrating and persistently lingering misconceptions about D&T! Woodwork and metalwork skills may be delivered in some depth in D&T, provided that's what your product requires. If it doesn't, you won't necessarily delve too deeply into these skills. This is a subject driven by iterative design development working with real-world users on a real-world problem. Thinking about what practical skills you will cover is putting the cart before the horse!
Do I need to be good at drawing to be good at D&T?
Do I need to be good at drawing to be good at D&T?
Being able to draw to a good standard helps, but we've seen quite limited drawers do extremely well in D&T and certainly very well in terms of their communication skills. It's not just about drawing; it's about writing about, modelling and discussing your ideas in as much detail as possible. A pencil is but one of many mediums through which you can do this.
Do I need to Year 9 DT to do GCSE DT?
Do I need to Year 9 DT to do GCSE DT?
Yes! We cover many of the required project management and practical GCSE skills in Year 9 and strongly advise students interested in the GCSE to pick the subject in Year 9.
The D&T Team
The D&T Team
Luke Dunn | Director of Technology lukedunn@chschool.co.uk
Harriet Burgess
Fiona Buxton
Kate Metcalfe | Second in Technology katemetcalfe@chschool.co.uk
Pete Upton
Angus Tulloch | Technology Technician & F1 in Schools Coordinator
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