Design Technology
Head of Department
Mr W Yates
“Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks, but of course if you dig deeper, it’s really how it works” – Steve Jobs
Design and Technology at The Vyne believe that learning should be engaging, accessible and appealing to all students. Through our curriculum we challenge students to think out-side the box, problem solve, tap into their imagination and make educated assumptions. Students will not only learn skills that will help them achieve the best possible GCSE grades, but will also acquire practical and life skills that will prove beneficial in future years to come.
Throughout KS3 and KS4 students will develop a love for design and learn to be independent workers. We attempt to implement a hands-on approach to learning which really helps students underpin theoretical knowledge and put it to the test. We plan our lesson sequences around the iterative design process and have access to a wide range of equipment that students can use to develop working prototypes.
What your student could expect to use in DT:
Hand tools (predominantly for woodworking)
Modern workshop machinery (belt sanders, scroll saws, pillar drills, etc.)
CAM machine (Computer-aided manufacturing)
CAD programs (computer-aided design)
Poly-forming equipment. (heat-strip formers, ploy-vacuum formers)
Textile equipment (weaving looms, sewing machines)
Year 7 & 8
Students are on a carousel and spend 9 weeks of the academic school year on each rotation. These foundation years are used to begin a love of design and immersing students in the workshop. They can expect to learn;
The basics of the iterative design process
Knowledge on the timber industry
Workshop practices and safety
How function influences design
Year 9
Students engage in one lesson a week where they can begin to put their foundational skills learnt in years 7 and 8 into practice.
Term One: Wooden toy airplane.
Term Two: (to be updated)
Term Three: Mock NEA. (non-exam assessment – scaled down version of GCSE expectation)
Year 10 & 11 – Resistant Materials
The KS4 curriculum is broken into two core sections. In Year 10 we learn the content for the GCSE exam and deepen our knowledge of the different key materials used in the modern world. The curriculum is aligned with AQA curriculum specification. Then students take this knowledge and begin the NEA in year 11. The NEA is a non-written exam, and students are required to answer a nationally set task and design their own prototype along-side a portfolio of the process.
KS4’s content can be found on the AQA specification:
https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/design-and-technology/specifications/AQA-8552-SP-2017.PDF