DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
MRS S DENTON
STAFF:
Teaching Staff: Miss L Carr , Mrs S Denton
KEY STAGE 3:
In Design Technology, the KS3 Curriculum content has been chosen to engage our students using topical environmental and social issues and a range iterative design challenges. In addition to this, we will be developing core principle skills and knowledge within each year of KS3 to build a foundation of knowledge across the key stage with the overarching objective that our students will begin to develop culturally rich understanding of the subject that can encourage learning in KS4 and in STEM careers in the future.
Design Technology, Food & Nutrition and Textiles are delivered over Two units in KS3, where students will learn a combination of each subject twice.
Unit 1
Workshop safety
Sustainability
Iterative design process
Development of hand tool skills
High quality finishing skills
Model making
Graphics
Computer Aided Design & Manufacture
Unit 2
Sustainability
Computer Aided Design and Manufacture
Branding and advertising through Graphics Products
Iterative design process
Product Development
Use of hand tools
Electronics
Soldering
KEY STAGE 4:
WJEC Design and Technology
This WJEC GCSE in Design and Technology offers a unique opportunity in the curriculum for learners to identify and solve real problems by designing and making products or systems. Through studying GCSE Design and Technology, learners will be prepared to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world; and be aware of, and learn from, wider influences on design and technology, including historical, social/cultural, environmental and economic factors.
Each learner will therefore study four areas of content:
1. Core knowledge and understanding
2. In-depth knowledge and understanding for one of: engineering design, fashion and textiles, product design
3. Core skills
4. In-depth skills for one of: engineering design, fashion and textiles, product design
SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT
Unit 1: Design and Technology in the 21st Century. Written examination: 2 hours 50% of qualification. A mix of short answer, structured and extended writing questions assessing candidates' knowledge and understanding of one area selected from: engineering design, fashion and textiles and product design.
Unit 2: Design and make task. Non-exam assessment: approximately 35 hours / 50% of qualification A sustained design and make task, based on a contextual challenge set by WJEC, assessing candidates' ability to: identify, investigate, analyse and outline design possibilities, design and make prototypes and evaluate their fitness for purpose.
KEY STAGE 5:
To be taught from the September 2025 specification (to be confirmed).