Design Technology
Design Technology
Design Technology and Food are crucial subjects that allows students the opportunity to understand the world around them. From the clothes they wear, the house the live in, to the food they eat, it is all made through the same design, develop and making process. Designing, engineering, food production and textile manufacture are just some of the multi-billion pound industries that make up the UK commerce today and in Birmingham we have a proud history of these industries.
Here at Starbank, Design Technology is a key part of the KS3 curriculum and gives students an opportunity to experience x3 key areas, Food, Product Design and Textiles. Giving students a broad overview of the subject, then allows for informed choices for their KS4 options and with a wide range of materials, skills and machinery available, it makes for many varied and exciting student learning opportunities. Design technology enables students to develop designing and practical skills through the application of critical thinking, problem solving and innovation.
Design technology is a STEM subject, building a wide range of practical skills across five different materials areas (woods, metals, plastics, fabrics and papers). Incorporating your knowledge of properties of materials from Science, as well as your Mathematical skills to mark out and measure your materials in creating innovative products to meet the needs of clients.
Programme Of Study
Key Stage 3
Why do we teach Design Technology?
In KS3 we cover the following material areas as a base for the KS4 GCSE teaching:
- Textiles
- Food
- Resistant materials.
What would I learn in Design Technology?
By teaching the above areas students have a broad base of materials and skills based knowledge to be able to use in ks4. At KS3 students complete a term on each material area. In RM students learn to use timber, some metals and plastics over year 7 and 8. They have a mix of both theoretical and practical based lessons, we also try and incorporate CAD/ CAM to this unit, with the use of computer design and making with the laser cutter/ vinyl cutter/ 3D printer.
In textiles students learn to use the sewing machines in variety of ways and learn about textiles materials and techniques. Students also experiment with surface techniques including batik, applique and tie dye.
In food students complete both theoretical and practical lessons and are taught the key practical skills needed for ks4 food, as well as being able to prepare food safely for themselves and their families as adults. Students are expected to bring ingredients to all practical lessons.
How would I learn in Design Technology?
Through a variety of both practical and theoretical based lessons.
Key Stage 4
Why do we teach Design Technology?
Design Technology will give you the skills and creativity to positively engage with the designed world leading to a whole range of creative careers. It enables you to practically apply scientific and mathematical skills which could lead into engineering.
We come into contact with a wide range of products in our everyday lives, each one has been designed and made by a design technologist.
What would I learn in Design Technology?
At the start of KS4 students work on their knowledge and understanding in all five materials areas (wood, metals, plastics, fabrics, papers) through a series of focused practical tasks. They design and make a wooden toy with plastic and card packaging, jewellery with a fabric storage pouch as well as student led accessories project in materials of their own choice.
In Year 10 students further develop their practical skills learning joints and attaching components in a variety of materials before starting on their final Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) piece in the summer term.
Students complete the majority of their NEA in Year 11 producing a portfolio of supporting evidence and a final prototype design in response to one of three exam board set contexts. Students can choose to develop their product in any material area, specialising in just one or working across several.
How would I learn in Design Technology?
Through a variety of theoretical lessons to build on subject knowledge and practical lessons to test out the theories and demonstrate understanding.
Curriculum
Key Subject Facts
Exam Board:
OCR Design Technology
Course Makeup:
- Exams 50%
- Coursework 50%
Exam Structure:
-
1x Paper- 2hour written exam
Key Subject Facts
Exam Board:
AQA 3D/Textiles
Course Makeup:
- Exams 40%
- Coursework 60%
Exam Structure:
-
1 X 10 hour practical exam
Staff in Department
Head of Department:
Mrs G Gurney
Ms C Habib
Mr T Smerdon
DT Technician:
Miss J Lee
Food Technician:
Mrs S Kauser
Recommended Revision Guides:
OCR GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology
Collins GCSE 9-1 Revision
My Revision Notes
