Design & Technology
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Design is knowing which ones to keep. Technology and design together create possibilities beyond imagination.”
Curriculum Intent:
In Design and Technology we aim to use an iterative and explorative design cycle to empower students to become creative and critical thinkers. To find solutions to everyday problems that meet users’ needs and make the world a better environment for all in an inclusive way. Technology learning is a fundamental part of the broad and balanced curriculum offer at St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy which provides students with practical life skills as well as opportunities to gain employment within the thriving engineering industry local to our school.
KS3 learning style feeds into skills and knowledge students need to access at KS4. All of KS3 delivery is done as project-based learning with NEA style projects run and assessed in the same format as the GCSE DT structure plus an end of year exam. The exam is structured in the same way as the GCSE paper but on a smaller scale.
Whilst the format of KS3 delivery is structured in line with the GCSE, the design process is the same as that which is needed to access the practical aspects of the Engineering courses and also Unit 3 and 4 of Level 3 Engineering. All projects follow the design cycle (research, design, develop, make, test, evaluate) regardless of content.
The foundation of the content for KS3 is the National Curriculum and at KS4 and KS5 the threshold concepts are driven by the specification content of the respective courses. Students build on their skills year on year whilst experiencing the extended project format which is evident in KS4 and KS5. However, for those students who opt not to take Technology into KS4, the ambitious learning content and structure has valid links to industry, life skills and other subject content. For example, use of PEE chains supports learning in English, History and Geography. Use of apply your knowledge tasks supports learning in Business and Science. Awareness of electronics and use of hand tools is integral to basic DIY and the focus on inclusivity of design and environmental impact ensures learners are more attuned to the different needs of those in society as well as the environmental impact of their day to day choices e.g. energy consumption, single use plastics and renewable energy alternatives.
Assessment is holistic, mirroring the framework used at KS4 and KS5. Students are assessed on their designing and making skills within their project as well as various ’Apply your knowledge’ tasks throughout the KS3 curriculum which allow students to showcase how they can apply the knowledge they have learnt.
Homework is used to support learning throughout the key stages, encouraging students to explore products, design influences and local industry through research activities and real-life applications. Homework also seeks to reinforce concepts from lessons and to incorporate the literacy and numeracy skills required to be successful in a career in Technology.
KS3 Curriculum Intention:
- Pupils will explore the design process through food technology. They will work with a range of ingredients and equipment to produce a range of dishes considering other cultures and individual dietary needs.
- Pupils will develop their understanding of the design process through the design and manufacture of electronic products. They will work with resistant materials and hand tools to produce a functional and personalised product.
- Pupils will consolidate their knowledge of the design process through engineering and computer aided drawing. They will work with engineering materials and equipment to produce an inclusive design and user centred product.
KS4 DT Curriculum Intention:
- Pupils will broaden their awareness of new technologies, sustainability and user centred design through a mini NEA project and investigate a wider range of material properties and manufacturing processes in a real work shop environment.
- Pupils will action their learning from Y10 by choosing a live task to carry out for their NEA project. They will independently develop design solutions and manufacture prototypes to solve a design challenge whilst reinforcing their transferrable skills and knowledge of products for the examination.
KS5 DT Curriculum Intention:
- Students will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning in to practice by producing prototypes of their choice.
- Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers through an independent major design project.
KS4 Engineering Curriculum Intention:
- Pupils will gain understanding of the process of engineering manufacture, and learn about the different types of manufacturing processes, and different materials that can be used within manufacturing. They will learn how to safely plan and produce a one-off product by using appropriate processes, tools and equipment.
- Pupils will develop their understanding of the process of engineering manufacture, focusing on modern materials and processes. They will learn how to manufacture using simple jigs and templates to support manufacturing in volume using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) equipment.
KS5 Engineering Curriculum Intention:
- Students will explore manufacturing processes and materials considering the impact of design choices on the outcomes produced and the systems required to manufacture effectively and efficiently.
- Students will use their knowledge and skills from year 12 and apply these to the design and manufacture of a range of products ensuring they meet specific design and quality criteria.