Design and Technology
Design and Technology opens the door to a wide range of careers in the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries. It is also excellent preparation for careers in many other fields e.g. product design, computer aided design and interior/furniture/fashion design. Whatever career you choose, the knowledge and skills you learn, particularly those concerned with rapidly developing technologies, will be extremely valuable. You will also develop skills, such as teamwork and time management which are highly prized by employers.
Students will opt to specialise in either Design and Technology Resistant Materials or Textiles, Engineering, Child Development and Food Preparation and Nutrition.
The Design and Technology department is led by Mr D Goodsell (Director of Learning). He is supported by Mrs R Cooke (Deputy Director of Learning for Design and Technology), Mrs D Shaw (Deputy Director of Learning for Food), Mrs E Bevan (Deputy Director of Learning for Art) and Mrs S Kilner (Deputy Director of Learning for Textiles). Alongside this, we also have four specialist teachers in a range of disciplines and two technology technicians.
The Curriculum
Key Stage 3
Students in Years 7 and 8 receive four 60 minute lessons per fortnight and students in Year 9 receive three 60 minute lessons per fortnight. Students are rotated through different disciplines of Food Technology, Design Engineering, Materials Technology, C.A.D and Textiles Technology.
Practical experience is of a high priority in all aspects and students are encouraged to design and make high quality products.
What does D&T look like for a Yr 7 student?
Students in Years 7 receive four 60 minute lessons per fortnight. Students are rotated through different disciplines, each designed to develop skills and understanding in:
- Food Technology – core principles.
- Engineering – flat pack card engineering.
- Product design – wooden slot–together toy.
- Textiles Technology – cultural cushion.
What does D&T look like for a Yr 8 student?
Students in Years 8 receive four 60 minute lessons per fortnight. Students are rotated through different disciplines, each designed to develop skills and understanding in:
- Food Technology – core principles* (2021 only).
- Engineering – wooden slot-together toy* (2021 only).
- Product design – CAD restaurant menu.
- Textiles Technology – cultural cushion* (2021 only).
What does D&T look like for a Yr 9 student?
Students in Years 9 receive three 60 minute lessons per fortnight. Students are rotated through different disciplines, each designed to develop skills and understanding in:
- Food Technology – mini-NEA (design & make).
- Engineering –pewter cast jewellery.
- Product design – games console controller modelling.
- Textiles Technology – environmental fashion
Key Stage 4
BTEC Art and Design Practice (Textiles or 3D Products)
Textiles
This course opens the door to a wide range of careers in the creative, design and manufacturing industries. The knowledge and skills you learn, particularly those concerned with rapidly developing technologies, will be extremely valuable. You will also develop skills, such as teamwork and time management which are highly prized by employers.
The focus areas for Textiles will typically be garment construction and fashion illustration; fabric surface pattern including printing, dying and embellishment; modelling and prototyping. Practical elements of the course will explore these areas more fully and students will learn about how textile products can be designed and made in a creative way. Students will have the opportunity to work with a range of equipment and processes including Computer Aided Design and Manufacture such as Laser Cutting, and CAD/CAM Embroidery, as well as traditional textiles equipment such as sewing machines.
3D Products
This course opens the door to a wide range of careers in the creative, design and manufacturing industries. The knowledge and skills you learn, particularly those concerned with rapidly developing technologies, will be extremely valuable. You will also develop skills, such as teamwork and time management which are highly prized by employers.
By studying 3D Products you will combine graphic design skills with prototyping and model making using a variety of materials. Students will have the opportunity to work with a range of equipment and processes including Computer Aided Design and Manufacture such as Laser Cutting and 3D Printing.
The externally assessed component of the qualification will bring together student’s experiences with designing and making by working to a client brief. Students will research the brief, generate creative design concepts and develop a product in response.
Non-examined assessment
60% of the qualification
Unit 1- Generating ideas in Art and Design (36 GLH)
Unit 2- Develop practical skills in Art and Design (36GLH)
External Assessment: 20 Hours
40% of the qualification
Students will develop a response to a client brief by:
- Demonstrating understanding of client needs.
- Developing and producing a response to a client brief.
- Presenting a response to a client brief.
WJEC Engineering
This course provides a core of knowledge and applied skills related to Engineering. Students will develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life.
This is ideally suited to those students s who wish to acquire technical skills & develop sector-specific knowledge in a practical learning environment. However, students should be aware that the course is not entirely workshop based and relies heavily on the students generating paper evidence of knowledge gained.
The course focuses on development of skills & knowledge through three areas:
- knowledge and understanding of engineering principles;
- design skills;
- practical skills;
The units delivered are:
Unit 1 - Engineering Design - this unit is internally assessed (25%)
Unit 2 - Producing Engineered Products – this unit is internally assessed (50%)
Unit 3 - Solving Engineering Problems – this unit is externally assessed (25%)
Food Preparation and Nutrition
This GCSE course will equip students with the knowledge, understanding, skills and encouragement they need to cook. It will give them the ability to apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating.
Students will take part in practical lessons to practice a wide range of food preparation skills. They will prepare, cook and present food as well as apply nutrition-related information to tasks set. Students will develop vital life skills so that they can feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously.
Students should be aware that the course is not entirely practical based and relies heavily on the students completing written work to evidence both knowledge and skills gained.
Non-examined assessment:50% non-exam assessment;
- Food preparation assessment (50%) - students will plan, prepare, cook and present a three course menu within 3 hours.
Written examination: 50% exam. Question paper split into two sections;
- Section A: Multiple choice questions (20 marks)
- Section B: contains five questions (80 marks)
The exam will be 1 hr 45 minutes with a total of 100 marks.
Course specifications:
Yr 10 & 11
Engineering - WJEC Engineering Level 1/2 Award
Food Preparation & Nutrition - OCR GCSE (9-1) Food Preparation& Nutrition
Textiles - BTEC Tech Award Art & Design Practice (specialism; Textiles)
3D Product - BTEC Tech Award Art & Design Practice (specialism; 3D Product)
After School Clubs
Girl Technology Club
The Girls Tech Club runs after school on a Thursday Week 2 from 2.45 until 3.35pm and is available to all girls in Key Stage 3.
The aim of the club is to engage girls in the STEM curriculum, an area in which there is a shortage of female representation in industry. Participants will learn a variety of skills through project based learning, including Computer Aided Design and Manufacture, Graphics and Multimedia, practical manufacture and assembly along with soft skills such as teamwork, enterprise and presentation skills.
Girls who attend the club regularly will have the opportunity to enter competitions and attend enrichment visits based around STEM learning.
Photography Club
Photography adds so much value to our lives, by recording special events, people, or places, as well as helping us learn and grow as people. It allows you to share your life and experiences in more meaningful ways via images, either online or printed and given as gifts.
If you would like to learn how to real photographs instead of snapshots and selfies come to room 045 on a week 1 Monday from 15:00pm to 16:00pm with Mr Sykes.
Revision and Support
Achieve
The Department organises catch-up, intervention and revision classes throughout the year for students studying Design and Technology.
KS4 Achieve Sessions — Tuesday and Thursday 2.45-3.45pm
Revision Guides
WJEC Engineering revision guides are available to purchase from:
https://www.illuminatepublishing.com
OCR Food Preparation and Nutrition revision guides are available to purchase from school at a discount rate at the start of the academic year.
Careers in Design & Technology
Wondering what career path to take when you leave school?
Luckily at Whitcliffe Mount School we have an extensive Art, Design and Technology Faculty that offers lots of options helping you choose an exciting career. We offer first class careers advice. Incorporating strong links with employers and further education.
There are many different careers in the creative industries for those with passion for finding solutions in a huge range of Engineering disciplines, a flair for design or artistic talent. To get you thinking, here's a flavour of the creative opportunities that are available.
Useful Links
http://www.technologystudent.com/
Please click the links below to view our curriculum plans.