Technology

Curriculum Intent 

The Technology team aim to develop resilient, independent and confident students who have practical and evaluative skills and analytical knowledge in our wide range of vocational subjects. 

Students are encouraged to foster globally-responsible attitudes through investigating materials, technological developments and an understanding of sustainability on a local, national and international level. 

All our subjects include an understanding of how the world works and going forward to anticipate jobs that have not yet even been created. Technology is an ever-expanding discipline that has problem solving at its core, is academic as well as practical, involves learning through doing and we hope above all, enjoyable. 

Gold Standard Teaching and Learning 

  • High expectation of pupil behaviour at all times 
  • Well planned and resourced series of lessons 
  • An expectation that pupils will accept responsibility for their own learning and work independently  
  • User of assessment criteria to be integral in developing students’ autonomy and understanding of their own progression and target setting  
  • Subject specific language to be used by the teacher and students, across both Key Stages, so that the students’ become completely familiar with technical vocabulary in lessons    
  • High demands of pupil involvement and engagement with their learning  
  • A range of practical, oral and written skills 
  • Use of a range of learning strategies to support students of all levels 
  • Stretch and challenge through questioning, modelling and via the variety of tasks set  
  • Assessment for learning  
  • Effective use of summative data to inform short, medium- and long-term planning  
  • DIRT  
  • Regular use of encouragement and rewards to engage and motivate pupils   

Key Stage 3 Overview 

Year 7 

When  What we are Studying?  
  Product design  Graphics 
Autumn 1  Gumball machine – design and make practical skills 

 

 Introduction to Design Technology 

Start introduction to Graphics skills – isometric, mind mapping, typographic design 
Autumn 2  Gumball mechanisms – finishing techniques and evaluation  Design project – multicultural gift box – research, design and make 
Spring 1  Rotation 2  Rotation 2 
Spring 2  Rotation 2  Rotation 2 
Summer 1  Rotation 3  Rotation 3 
Summer 2  Rotation 3  Rotation 3 

 

Year 8 

When  What we are Studying?  
  Product design  Graphics 
Autumn 1  Bling box project – practical hand skills and machine use 

 

 Research into designers and their contribution to design, circles in isometric, design thinking skills and literacy 
Autumn 2  Fixings – timber theory, adhesives and finishing 

 

 Design ideas and layout, digital editing of images, practical use of dye sublimation process 
Spring 1  Rotation 2  Rotation 2 
Spring 2  Rotation 2  Rotation 2 
Summer 1  Rotation 3  Rotation 3 
Summer 2  Rotation 3  Rotation 3 

 

Key Stage 4 Overview 

Year 9 

When  What we are Studying? 
Autumn 1  Logo project – branding and corporate identity 
Autumn 2  Unit 1 New and Emerging Technologies 
Spring 1  Converse – Pump it up shoe project 
Spring 2  Unit 6 – Designing Principals 
Summer 1  Shop Front Architecture 
Summer 2  Unit 7 Making Principals 

 

Year 10 

When  What we are Studying?   
Autumn 1  Memphis Clock Project 
Autumn 2  Unit 2 Energy, Materials, System and Devices 
Spring 1  Ergonomic pizza cutter project 
Spring 2  Unit 3 Materials 
Summer 1  Angle poise lamp project 
Summer 2  Unit 4 Common Specialist Techniques and principals 

 

Year 11 2019-20 

When  What we are Studying?  
Autumn 1  NEA pre release coursework task 
Autumn 2  NEA/ Papers and boards 
Spring 1  NEA 
Spring 2  NEA 
Summer 1  NEA 

 

Key Stage 4 Examination Overview 

Exam Board Details: AQA GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology 

50% NEA Coursework 

50% Exam 

 

What resources could I buy or borrow that will help my child? 

Practice exam papers PG Online 

Students theory work from 9-11 

 

What are the key websites or Apps that my child could use? 

Technologystudent.co.uk 

 

What can I do to encourage my child to take a further interest in Design and Technology? 

Watch programmes such as Grand Designs 

Subscribe to design museum/RSA 

‘How it’s made’ magazine 

 

What after school or other extracurricular activities are available in Design and Technology and when are they? 

STEM go 4set club 

Robotics club 

Coursework support club 

 

Email links 

To find out more about the curriculum we are studying please contact staff via email