Year 7

(Students are in Design Technology for 19/20 weeks with 3 lessons per fortnight, 28-30 Lessons in Total)

Baseline (1 week)

The baseline test gauges student knowledge of DT from what they learnt at Primary School. The test also covers topics students will learn about during their full rotation in the subject.

Practical Intro – Block-Bot Project (6 Weeks)

This practical focused project introduces students to working in a workshop environment, introduction to health and safety, using a variety of workshop tools and equipment, cutting, shaping and finishing timbers. This is fundamental knowledge that will prepare students for the rest of the Key Stage. This project allows the teacher to gain an early understanding of student ability by assessing manufacturing ability.

Letter Hook (9 weeks)

This project introduces working to a design brief and specification and challenges students to demonstrate creativity and generate a range of ideas inspired by Design Movements such as Art Deco, Memphis, Bauhaus. Whereas students used a Tennon Saw and Pine to make a Block-Bot, this project focuses on using a Coping Saw and Plywood as well as an introduction to working with Plastic (Acrylic) so different skills, techniques and materials are used.

Wood Knot Puzzle (2 weeks)

A final practical task to combine use of working with Coping & Tenon Saw’s and brings together skills used in both previous projects. Students are to independently follow a set of instructions.

End of Rotation Test (1 week)

To assess learning and test knowledge gained from practical tasks. By this point students should be able to identify correct tools & equipment, uses and applications of a range of materials and demonstrate an understanding of workshop Health & Safety.

Year 8

Students are in Design Technology for 19/20 weeks with 3 lessons per fortnight 28-30 Lessons in Total)

Baseline (1 Week)

The baseline test gauges student knowledge of DT from what they learnt in Year 7. For some students there is a 6/7-month gap since they were last in DT, therefore it’s imperative to understand what knowledge students have retained from the previous year. The test also covers topics students will learn about during their full rotation in the subject.

Practical Intro – Plane Project (6 Weeks)

This practical focused project re-introduces students to working in a workshop environment, reminder and refresher to health and safety, using a variety of workshop tools and equipment, cutting, shaping and finishing timbers. This is fundamental knowledge that will prepare students for the rest of the Key Stage and GCSE. This project allows the teacher to gain an early understanding of student ability by assessing manufacturing ability.

Pewter Cast Keyring – Design Ideas, CAD Mould, Pewter Casting, Manufacturing Wood Joints, Evaluation (11 weeks)

This project re-introduces working to a design brief and specification and challenges students to demonstrate creativity and generate a range of ideas inspired by Famous Designers or Design Companies (Apple, Dyson, Starck, Braun, McQueen, Westwood). This is a multi-disciplinary learning module where students are given the opportunity to work with a range of materials – Woods/Plastics/Metals and develop knowledge and understanding of technical processes such as Laser Cutting (CAM) and Pewter Casting.

End of Rotation Test (1 week)

To assess learning and test knowledge gained from practical tasks. By this point students should be able to: List names, properties and know uses/applications for the following:

• Hardwoods, Softwoods, Manufactured Woods
• Thermo plastics, Thermosetting plastics
• Non-ferrous metals, Ferrous metals
• Designers, Design Companies, Design Movements

Year 9

Students are in Design Technology for 19/20 weeks with 3 lessons per fortnight 28-30 Lessons in Total)

In Year 9 students experience 2 x 10-week rotations that are small scale GCSE style projects and give students an experience of what working at GCSE is like. E.G. Responding to a design brief, writing a specification, generating ideas, developing ideas, manufacturing a prototype and evaluation. Students have more freedom than in Years 7/8 for outcomes to be different as they now have a foundation level of knowledge and understanding to apply.

Biomimicry Laser Cut Clock Project (9/10 weeks)

The Biomimicry project has 3 x assessment focus areas linked to GCSE

• Investigation – Analysis of Existing Products, Mood-board
• Developing Design Ideas – Use of SCAMPER to develop and iterate ideas
• Evaluation & Analysis – Strengths, Weaknesses, Improvements & Modifications

Main skill focuses

• Use of SCAMPER to develop ideas / iterations
• Using 2D Design for CAD drawing and laser cutting parts for a product

Architecture Project (9/10 weeks)

The architecture project has 3 x assessment focus areas linked to GCSE

• Brief & Specification – A design brief and ACCESS FM specification written that will inform design ideas
• Generating Design Ideas – A range of ideas inspired by an architect drawn in isometric or perspective
• Realising Design Ideas – Orthographic Drawing, Cutting List, Final Prototype Outcome

Main skill focuses:

• Technical Drawing – Isometric, Perspective & Orthographic
• Card Board modelling – Constructing a 3D Scale Prototype