Design & Technology
St Bede's Design and Technology Curriculum Intent
Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. National Curriculum 2013.
At St Bede’s our KS3 curriculum is split into two complimentary parts; Research a Design, and Tools and Techniques. In both year 7 and 8 students complete an open-ended research and design task and a more focused hands-on making task. By doing this, students are given the time needed to complete high quality practical outcomes and can design freely without the constraints of having to make the outcome. From year 9 these two parts are brought together so that by year 11 students can research, design and make their final coursework piece.
The tasks that students complete in KS3 cover the following topics and skills
Year 7
- Woodwork tools, techniques and safety
- Timber materials and properties
- Interpreting technical drawings
- The design process
- Mechanisms and their uses
- Biomimicry and design using nature
- Design communication through sketching
Year 8
- User centred design
- Iterative design
- Primary and secondary research skills
- The use of modelling to communicate design
- Computer aided design and manufacture
- System design, electronic inputs outputs and processing
- Soldering
- Designs of the 20th century
GCSE Design and Technology: Product Design (AQA) is a challenging academic course which also has a large practical element. Students study a wide range of topics including systems design, commercial manufacturing processes, material properties and uses, and how design relates to people. There is a large focus on sustainability and the future of products in the world.
At St Bede’s we teach the course with a degree of flexibility allowing us to respond to the needs and interests of our students. Working within the GCSE specification we develop projects including 3D printing, electronics, graphic design, plastic processing and precision woodwork. In all projects we aim to develop students’ ability to work iteratively creating models and prototypes to develop their ideas.
Similar to KS3, students start learning through a mix of focused making tasks, design projects and theory lessons. The GCSE is assessed through 50% coursework and 50% examination.
For more details please contact:
Mrs J Emmans, Head of Faculty for Expressive Arts & Technology: jemmans@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk
Mrs E Allen, Head of Design and Technology: eallen@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk
