Subject: Design Technology
Design isn’t just a way of making and doing; it’s a way of understanding and engaging with the world. Students should think imaginatively about the possibilities of design. Not just what design is; but what it might be. We want students to discover how design affects the environment as a whole, as they investigate its role within society and culture. We expect students to learn to see design as a complex combination of systems and actions, and not just as a set of distinct practical skills. Students learn to design and make design objects that solve genuine, relevant problems within different contexts whilst considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.
What will students learn?
Students will learn the principles of design through a range of traditional and contemporary techniques. They will learn to design and craft by and with the help of computer aided design. They will explore design movements, designers and will 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. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
In KS3 students will study
Year 7
In year 7, students will begin their DT journey by learning drawing techniques that will help them develop a visual language to support their designing throughout key stage 3. Students will learn about Brutalist architecture and in response to a design brief, they will learn to design a Brutalist piece of architecture, using isometric and 2-point perspective drawing techniques. They will also learn about logo design through a graphic project that will explore brands, colour theory and computer aided design using Adobe Illustrator software and the laser cutter. Finally, students will design and create a sustainable passive amplifier, which will see them learn core electronic skills, wiring and soldering.
Year 8
Building on their understanding of sustainability in year 7, students will investigate, design and make a sustainable lighting solution. They will then create wooden figures inspired by Lego. They will design and make a prototype (using nets) and will use a range of workshop machinery including fret saws, belt sanders and pillar drills, whilst also utilising hand making skills, such as comb and mortise and tenon joints. Students will also design their figure using isometric drawing skills and will make a prototype in card before working with hard materials. Their timber figure will be finished with paint and varnish. Finally in year 8, students will explore inclusive design, creating a working maze that includes packaging.
Year 9
In year 9, students continue their learning about sustainability through an upcycling plastics project in which they must give discarded products new life in a way that does not contribute towards waste or carbon emissions. Following that, students will develop their hand building skills further by creating a flatpack laptop stand. This project will combine hand building skills with CAD-CAM work.
What resources can be used to support learning?