Design and Technology

Design Technology Documents

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” Steve Jobs

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. It encourages students to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. At Kingsbridge Community College, we encourage students to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. The curriculum links learning with career paths aiming to inspire future architects, chefs , engineers and designers.

Implementation

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. The students design and create products using different materials and using a wide range of tools, machines and processes to increase their practical confidence and improve their design awareness. The curriculum is designed to provide breadth and depth.

In KS3 students are taught and assessed in 5 areas to develop a deeper understanding of:

Design: How to research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products, aimed at particular individuals or groups. Students learn to generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through iteration, discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design (CAD).

Make: How to select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks and how to use a wider range of materials, ingredients and components, according to their functional properties, aesthetic qualities and, where appropriate, taste.

Evaluate: How to investigate and analyses a range of existing products. Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work. Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.

Technical knowledge: Understand and use electrical and mechanical systems in their products where appropriate. Understand the increasing part design and engineering has in responsible design and creating more environmentally friendly products that use less energy, produce less waste and are sustainable. Understand and apply the principles of colouring and decoration different fabrics, how to join them and add fixings to create products and garments.

Cooking & Nutrition: Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and health. Cook a repertoire of predominantly savoury dishes so that they are able to feed themselves and others a healthy and varied diet. Become competent in a range of cooking techniques. Understand the source, seasonality and characteristics of a broad range of ingredients.

At KS3 all students study Design and Technology on a rotation system. The focus of each area is predominantly on practical work, teaching students the practical skills they need to be able to produce a wide range of products. In addition to the practical skills, students are taught key knowledge and skills, strong links are made to other STEM subjects. Numeracy and literacy play a key part in the delivery of the Design and Technology curriculum.

At KS4 and KS5 students are encouraged to build upon their knowledge and work more independently to consolidate their learning from previous units. Students are supported to develop their skills in the areas of core technical principles, specialist technical principles and designing and making principles In each year there are a wide range of materials and equipment used and the scheme of work is progressive, so that students are stretched and challenged with the skills they learnt in the previous year in addition to learning more advanced skills and techniques in the current year. The scheme of learning progresses from making items for themselves onto making items for others and then specific clients and groups in society.

Impact

We ensure that our students:

• Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
• Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in a wide range of materials in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users.
• Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and work of others.
• Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook. Children will design and make a range of products. A good quality finish will be expected in all design activities made appropriate to the age and ability of the individual student.