Design and Technology
Subject Intent
Design and Technology helps students to improve their manual dexterity and knowledge of tools, machines and materials. We encourage independent learning and thinking through the design and making of products for the new age of sustainability and care for our environment. Problem solving is a key skill that is learnt through trial and error, using the systems-based approach to design and the iterative design process.
Aims
We aim to produce students with:
- Concentration and perseverance
- The ability to express themselves clearly and succinctly
- The ability to problem-solve
- Skills using manual tools, machines and cadcam
- A clear understanding of the design process
- An understanding of how interconnected are, raw materials, the products we use and the ways we dispose products.
- A mind that questions why products take a particular form and how they can be improved
- A love of good design that spans different times and approaches
- Knowledge of a vast array of materials and processes used to fashion them into products
Key Stage 3
Students in yrs 7 & 8 study Design and Technology on a rotation. Each class spends 8 lessons in a particular DT area. The areas are workshop skills, textiles, food, CAD CAM. After a project has been finished they then move on to another area with a new teacher.
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Year 7 Unit Titles |
Year 8 Unit Titles |
Students will take three of the projects over three terms. |
Students will take three of the projects over three terms. |
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Brief description of the department’s homework policy for pupils in year 7+8 |
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Students are given on average 2 homeworks per project. |
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Year 7 Homework Tasks |
Year 8 Homework Tasks |
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Key Stage 4
We work to the AQA board Design and Technology 9-1 specification. This comprises coursework, which is now called a Non-Exam Assessment and a 2 hour written exam. This new specification includes mathematics questions and has stopped the design elements of the previous exam. The NEA and written exam are each worth 50% of the final grade.
At Stewards Academy we try to teach as much of the course through practical projects. Additional lessons cover the remaining topics.
Students are taught in single lessons of an hour and ¼ twice a week. This gives 5 hours over the fortnight timetable.
Students start in yr 9 by increasing their knowledge and practical skills in wood, paper/board and metals. This is followed in yr 10 by investigating plastics cadcam and electronics. This gives students a reasonably broad and thorough understanding of how to design and make products in different or a combination of materials. There is no examined work in yrs 9 & 10.
In year 10 students follow the WJEC GCSE and study a theory course and design and make a USB lamp and a speaker.
In year 11students start the NEA or coursework in the last half term in year 10 and design and make a prototype product by Christmas. They then walk towards the two hour exampaper sat the folowing May.
The NEA is begun at the start of yr 11 and is finished by spring half term. For the NEA students have to produce a 20 page portfolio and make a functioning prototype product. This must be done under the supervision of a teacher in a school workshop.
After finishing the NEA students revise for the exam in June.
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Component/yr 9 |
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Component/yr 10 |
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External Unit/ Examination |
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Please provide a brief description of the departments homework policy for pupils at KS4 |
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Yrs 9 and 10 are given homework weekly. Yr 11 homework during NEA is to keep up with coursework. Spring and summer term homework is revision. |