Design & Technology
Design & Technology is a lively, motivational and innovative subject which allows students to display flair, imagination and creativity through a whole range of practical and theoretical activities. All students will cover a wide spectrum of D&T material areas throughout KS3 and then are given the opportunity to explore these areas further at KS4 and KS5. Students must have a genuine interest in all things creative and be able to communicate their thoughts and ideas through sketching and modelling.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
learning journey D&T 2023 v2.pdf
Year 7
- Core Skills-Technical Drawing Techniques /CAD/CAM skills, sustainability, Health & Safety, Tools and equipment.
- Textiles – Hand embroidered Puppets, Literacy Focus Practical Task
- Product Design-Art deco inspired pewter jewellery, Literacy Focus Practical Task, Health & Safety, Tools and equipment.
- Food – Eat well & Safe Food Preparation, Health & Safety,
Year 8
- Core Skills-Technical Drawing/CAD/CAM skills, sustainability,
- Textiles – Cushions: Alphabet cushion design using hand/Machine Skills
- Food – Designing and Making Healthy Food Options, Health & Safety,
- Product Design-Mechanical toy using mechanisms, Literacy Focus Practical Task
Year 9
- Core Skills -Technical Drawing/CAD/CAM skills, Sustainability, Iterative Design process, six R’s
- Textiles – Draw string/tote bag: CAD/CAM embroidery Heat Transfer Printing & Pattern Cutting, Health & Safety,
- Food– Baking, Foods from Around the World
- Product Design - Phone holder using the laminating process.
Key Stage 4 (Years’ 10 and 11)
Exam board: AQA GCSE Design and Technology 8552
Content description:
Paper 1
- Core technical principles
- Specialist technical principles
- Designing and making principles
In addition:
- at least 15% of the exam will assess maths
- at least 10% of the exam will assess science.
Non-exam assessment (NEA)
- Core technical principles
- Specialist technical principles
- Designing and making principles
- Controlled Assessment
- Non-exam assessment (NEA)
- 100 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Task(s)
- Substantial design and make task
- Assessment criteria:
- Identifying and investigating design possibilities
- Producing a design brief and specification
- Generating design ideas
- Developing design ideas
- Realising design ideas
- Analysing & evaluating
KS5 (Years’ 12 and 13)
Exam board: AQA A-level Design and Technology: Product Design 7552
Content description:
Paper 1: Technical principles
Written exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- 120 marks
- 30% of A-level
Mixture of short answer and extended response.
Paper 2: Designing and making principles
- Written exam: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- 80 marks
- 20% of A-level
Mixture of short answer and extended response questions.
Section A: • Product Analysis: 30 marks
- Up to 6 short answer questions based on visual stimulus of product(s).
Section B: • Commercial manufacture: 50 marks
- Mixture of short and extended response questions
Controlled Assessment
Non-exam assessment (NEA)
Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles.
How it's assessed
- Substantial design and make project
- 100 marks
- 50% of A-level
Evidence Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.
Success and Achievements:
Design & Technology at Cardinal Wiseman is taught by our experienced team of teachers in a suite of specialist teaching areas. The subject emphasises the importance of practical capability and provides opportunities for pupils to develop their powers of innovation, decision-making and creating new solutions to real problems.
We are committed to offering creative design opportunities to its students across the three subject areas of Textiles, Product Design and Food preparation and nutrition. We endeavour to deliver a creative curriculum that allows students to be fully conscious and aware of the technological world that is ever evolving around them.
Design and Technology is a highly successful department in all key stage areas. We promote students to be creative and imaginative in their work and to turn ideas into reality by working to a brief. Students are encouraged to gain confidence in using a variety of different tools and equipment so that they can be used successfully in their work.