Design & Technology
Our aim is to inspire our students to think, problem solve, design and then create products that improve the quality of living for all forms of life on our planet, whilst also working in unison and harmony with the living world
Design & Technology
Our aim is to inspire our students to think, problem solve, design and then create products that improve the quality of living for all forms of life on our planet, whilst also working in unison and harmony with the living world that we all share.
All of our learners will explore and combine new materials, advanced technologies and modern manufacturing techniques in order that they may develop their understanding of the direct impact that the design activity has upon the continual evolution of our environment.
Ultimately, we will nurture the future generations of young designers so that they may shed their light, creativity and influence on the dawn of our new world. Their ideas and designs will always demonstrate compassion and respect towards our living planet and all life upon it.
KS3 Design and Technology
Our students rotate in a ‘carousel’ style system, which exposes them to a broad range of design and manufacture skills based courses in:
- Food Preparation and Nutrition
- Basic Electronics
- Graphic Design
- Materials and manufacturing
- Product Design
Please see our KS3 curriculum map for further details
Year 7 - Food Preparation and Nutrition
During the time spent in Food Preparation and Nutrition students will study health, safety and hygiene of the kitchen, healthy eating and Italian cultural foods. They will be taught how to cook a variety of increasingly challenging savory and sweet dishes that include: Fruit Salad, Pizza Toast, Crunchy Oat Biscuits, Pasta Salad, Fruit or Cheese Scones, Mini Carrot Cakes, Tomato Ragu, Pizza, Tiramisu and Bolognese. The students will be instructed on how to use the grill, oven, hob and knives safely and independently. They will learn to use a range of cooking equipment and skills to create the recipes. The students will be encouraged and challenged throughout the course to work autonomously using a recipe to guide them to their final outcome.
Year 7 - Key Torch and Packaging
In this project students are introduced to key areas of the design process; designing and the manufacture of a product. Each student will produce a mini key torch that can be attached to a set of keys or bag.
Students will initially design the surface pattern of the mini key torch and be taught how to draw their mini key torch in a three dimensional form (isometric). The surface pattern will be produced by creating a sticker using a vinyl cutter.
As they make the product students will gain new knowledge of materials theory (in particular plastics), industrial processes and basic electronics in circuit building. Circuits will be modelled on the computer before they are assembled.
Students will also have the opportunity to demonstrate their graphic design skills and knowledge of design software on the computer to design and print blister packaging for their final product.
Year 7 – Shadow Maker
In this project pupils will be designing and making a shadow maker. The aim of this project is to introduce pupils to a workshop and give them a solid understanding of health and safety in a practical environment. Pupils will be introduced to some machinery and handcraft tools whilst working with the traditional materials Pine and Aluminium. The shadow maker is a small tea light holder, which gives them scope to experience a range of different practical skills.
Year 8 - Food Preparation and Nutrition:
Students will spend the time in Food Preparation and Nutrition building on what was learnt in year 7 by studying healthy eating and lifestyles, sustainability, nutrition, seasonality, food science and special diets. They will be instructed how to cook a range of challenging and healthy dishes including Breakfast Eggs, Chilli Con Carne, Savory rice, Thai Green Curry, Chicken Stir Fry, Seasonal Fruit Crumble, Jam Tarts, Sausage Rolls, Marble cake, Bread rolls, Macaroni Cheese and Swiss Roll. They will strengthen their knowledge and understanding of using a range of cooking equipment and skills to create the recipes. The students will be encouraged and challenged throughout the course to work increasingly autonomously using a recipe to guide them to their final outcome.
Year 8 – Mood Light
This project is focused upon the design, modelling and manufacture of a small electronic colour-changing lamp. During the project students experience a wide range of skills from graphic design to manufacturing skills.
Practical skills the student’s experience include; electronics soldering, injection moulding, hand drilling and laser cutting.
Computer aided designing skills also play a large part in this project. The students use specific D&T design software to create designs that enable our CNC laser cutter to cut out the lampshade and decorative sticker.
The Mood Light the students eventually take home has become a firm favourite and we hope it helps create a relaxing and calming home study environment.
Year 8 – Wind chime
Students will spend this rotation designing, modelling and manufacturing a garden windchime, this outcome allows them to experience a broad range of practical workshop skills that will combine at least two different materials within there final product. Within this project students will have opportunity to practice and build upon practical skills and health and safety gained in Year 7, allowing them to develop more independence within the workshop environment. They will also secure new knowledge of materials and processes but also be encouraged and challenged to develop their own individual design ideas, which can be developed through model making.
Year 9 - Food Preparation and N