Design Technology

Key Stage 3

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have a double lesson (2 hours) of DT per week. The classes are all mixed ability. Students are taught in 8 week blocks before rotating and doing a different area of DT.

The areas of DT they rotate between are:
Food & Nutrition
Resistant Materials
Systems Technology
Graphic Design
Textiles Technology

A Trinity student will therefore study 5 different areas of DT throughout an academic year. Within each DT area, the students will have 3 areas of assessment. There is an assessed piece of classwork, homework and an end of project test. This allows for thorough and regular tracking of the student’s attainment.

Students will be asked to bring their own ingredients for Food & Nutrition lessons. Aprons and other items of PPE (not including medical masks) are supplied by the department for all practical lesson. Students should also have a selection of coloured pencils and drawing equipment as well as the usual pens, pencils and a ruler.

The Keystage 3 curriculum is based around being a foundation for the DT GCSE courses offered in Year 10 and 11. Students will learn subject knowledge as well as doing practical and creative work. Each year, students will build upon their previous knowledge and experiences. They are encouraged to investigate and identify problems and generate designs to solve problems.

Each year has a theme which is incorporated into the delivery of the lessons, to help the students appreciate the links between the different Design Technology subjects.

The themes are:
Year 7 – Nature
Year 8 – Sustainability
Year 9 – Design History

Keystage 3 Food & Nutrition

Students gain knowledge of what constitutes a healthy diet by encouraging an interest in food and cooking using a range of ingredients and recipes. They gain confidence in a practical, safe and happy environment. They learn about the importance of food hygiene and safety in a practical way.

(Click here to see some examples of student’s work)

Keystage 3 Resistant Materials

The students learn to work with a range of materials, tools and manufacturing processes. They will make a clock in Year 7, a metal candle holder in Year 8 and in Year 9, a box which is decorated in the style of a historical design movement.

(Click here to see some examples of student’s work)

Keystage 3 Systems Technology

The students learn about electronic and mechanical principles and processes. They will make a balloon bursting car in Year 7, a night light in Year 8 and in Year 9 a portable desk lamp.

(Click here to see some examples of student’s work)

Keystage 3 Graphic Design

In Graphic Design, students learn key design techniques where students are encouraged to innovate. Various software packages are used including 2D Design, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Hand drawing techniques, such as isometric, perspective and orthographic drawing, are learned. There is also a strong emphasis on prototyping and model making. Projects that the student’s currently do are a cubee craft character design in Year 7, packaging and game design in Year 8 and Architectural design in Year 9.

(Click here to see some examples of student’s work)

Keystage 3 Textiles Technology

Throughout Key Stage 3, students learn about different stitching techniques, applique, tie dyeing, transfer printing and quilting. They will make a wall hanging in Year 7, a cushion pad in Year 8 and in Year 9 a micro bug. Students are taught how to use the sewing machines and other textile techniques. Students will gain an insight and understanding of the influence fashion brands have on the consumer and will design their own products to a set brief.

(Click here to see some examples of student’s work)

Key Stage 4

Students at Trinity who opt to take a DT subject at GCSE level have several choices.

They can choose to do ‘Design and Technology’ or ‘Food & Nutrition’.

They will have a double lesson every week (2 hours) and an extra third lesson every other week. In other words 2 hours one week, three hours the next and so on.

Design and Technology GCSE (EDUQAS is the exam board)

If they choose to do ‘Design and Technology’, they must select an area of specialism. This can be either Resistant Materials, Graphic Products or Textiles Technology.

The course is split into two areas:
Theory work tested in an exam (50% of the marks).
Non Examined Assessment (a coursework project worth 50% of the marks).

Theory Work

The theory work is split into two areas. Core knowledge and specialist knowledge. For the core knowledge, which consists of 12 areas of knowledge, the various classes will rotate (like they do at Keystage 3) between the specialist DT teachers. Each rotation is typically 4 weeks. Once the rotations have come to an end, the students return to their main teacher in order to study their specialist knowledge area. Students undertake a range of practical assignments that build the skills required to undertake their NEA project.

NEA – Non-Examined Assessment (a coursework project)

The exam board (EDUQAS) release 3 design and make themes at the start of June each year. The students will be given these themes and having researched them, choose one as the theme for their project. They will then research, design and make their project. The ‘Iterative’ design process is followed and the students generate their design work in a sketchbook and a best folder. The general assumption is that they will manufacture their product using materials and media in line with their specialist area. In other words a student who has chosen the Resistant Materials area of specialism will make their design out of woods, metals and plastics.

Examples of past projects:

Resistant Materials (click to see a page of photos)
Graphic Products (click to see a page of photos)
Textiles Technology (click to see a page of photos)

Food & Nutrition GCSE (AQA is the exam board)

The Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE will help to develop a greater understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. Students will also learn about food from around the world through the study of British and international culinary traditions as well 
as developing an understanding of where food comes from (food provenance). They will master culinary skills and appreciate
the science behind food and cooking. This is an exciting and creative course
 which will allow them to demonstrate practical skills and make connections between theory and practice.

Students will be developing their practical skills through cooking and modifying a variety of both British and international recipes for many different occasions. They will also be studying, throughout the two years, these topics:

Food, nutrition and health.
Food science
Food safety
Food choice
Food provenance
Food groups

Assessment

50% Written Exam Paper: 1hr 45 mins
, Section A – multiple choice questions, Section B – 5 questions.
50% Non-Exam Assessment
: Two Tasks – Practical + Related Written. The practical work is completed throughout the course. The Non-Exam Assessment tasks will be completed in Year 11 along with related written work, revision and exam practice. They will be set by the exam board.

(Click here for photos of past projects)

Key Stage 5

KS5: A Level Design and Technology

A-Level Design and Technology: Product Design
Lead teacher: Mr Stevens

This A-Level builds upon the work that a student would have done during any Design Technology GCSE. It involves practical and theory work.

The course is timetabled for 5 lessons per week, split between two teachers.

The first two terms in Year 12 focus on learning in depth about various materials, tools and processes. A range of small projects are undertaken to develop these skills. After Easter, the students begin to start their NEA, which is a project of their own choosing. Some theory work is also done at the same time.

In Year 13, the main emphasis is on completing the NEA. Theory work is still taught at the same time. The NEA is usually completed by Easter in Year 13. The remaining lesson time is spent on theory work and revision for the examination.

Assessment:

Unit 1: Design and Technology in the 21st Century (3 hour exam) worth 50% of the course
Unit 2: Design and Make Project (80 hours of work) worth 50% of the course

Specification: EDUQAS Design and Technology – Product Design

KS5: A-Level Fashion and Textiles

A-Level Design and Technology: Fashion and Textiles
Lead teacher: Mrs Wisdish

The subject is built on the experience of GCSE and allows students to further their studies of Fashion and Textiles. It involves practical and theory work, with a similar structure to the Product Design course.  The main emphasis is on producing high-quality practical work, which is well designed. The theory work is taught as far as possible in a practical orientated manner.

Assessment:

Unit 1: Design and Technology in the 21st Century (3 hour exam) worth 50% of the course
Unit 2: Design and Make Project Specification: EDUQAS Design and Technology – Fashion and Textiles

KS5: A-Level Graphics

A-Level Product Design: Graphics
Lead teacher: Mr Wadsley

This course allows you to further your studies of Product Design with an emphasis on Graphic Products. Key skills and processes are: CAD (Adobe Photoshop, Solidworks, 2D Design), CAM (laser cutter, 3D Printer, laser image transfer), printing processes, plastic forming, technical drawing (isometric drawing, planometric, orthographic, perspective), industrial practices and more. Lessons are split into project and theory style lessons, both aiming to deepen knowledge to a specialist level ready for post 18 study if desired.

Assessment

Unit 1: Principles of DT (2.5 hrs 120 marks), Examination, 50%
Unit 2: Design and Make Project (120 marks), Coursework, 50%

Specification: Pearson Design Technology – Product Design

KS5: BTEC Health and Social Care

BTEC Health and Social Care
Lead teacher: Mrs Wisdish

This BTEC Level 3 National Diploma is the equivalent of 2 A-Levels with 10 hours of teaching per week, taught by 3 specialist teachers.

The course has been designed for students who are intending to go onto further study in a related sector. It is intended to account for two-thirds of a two-year, full-time study programme.

It supports access to a range of higher education courses if taken as part of a programme of study that includes another BTEC or A-Level alongside it. It offers flexibility and choice for students, equips students with skills needed for higher education and the world of work and provides students with an invaluable and thoughtful perspective on contemporary issues in health and social care.

Inclusion of the community justice sector opens up more career opportunities and the course reflects job opportunities relevant to areas of work in health and social care. Students can shape the qualification around a chosen career.

Assessment

There are 8 units. 3 are assessed externally (exam) and 5 are internally assessed. Qualifications in the suite are graded using a scale of PP to D*D* (Pass to destinction *).

Specification: Pearson – Health and Social Care

You can find a detailed list of topics here.