Design Technology

KS3 Design and Technology

Year 7

In Year 7 pupils study four technology areas over the course of the year. Pupils will learn to develop skills in:

Food Technology – Pupils learn how to work safely in the Food technology room and develop a salad and soup for the school canteen. They develop skills in using the cooker and fruit and vegetable preparation.

Resistant Materials – Pupils design and make a wind chime using aluminium and pine. They learn about safety in the workshop and use a wide range of appropriate tools and equipment.

Textiles Technology – Students design and make their own puppet based on insects. They improve their skills in hand stitching and cutting fabric. For most of year 7, it is the first time they have used a sewing machine, they learn how to be safe and effective sewers.

Graphic Products – Pupils design and make a mini torch and its packaging. Pupils will develop skills working with card and learn some basic electronics skills. Pupils work with acrylic and use a range of different hand tools.

Year 8

In Year 8 pupils study four technology areas over the course of the year. Pupils will develop their skills further in:

Food Technology – Pupils develop a low sugar dessert for a health food restaurant take away. Students learn the effects of sugar on teeth and how to develop a range of sweet products reducing the sugar content through the use of natural and artificial sweeteners. Students produce a range of practical outcomes such as crumble, sponge pudding and mousse.

Resistant Materials – In Year 8 pupils make a moving face out of wood. They develop skills in movement and mechanisms. Pupils work with manufactured wood (MDF) and use a range of hand tools to shape MDF.

Textiles Technology – Students design and make an Egyptian Holder. They create their own stencil to decorate fabric with, the theme we develop is based on Egyptian shapes and symbols. Students embellish their holders using a variety of decorative components as well as machine embroidery.

Graphic Products – Pupils design and make a small pop-up book learning how to make several different mechanisms and levers. Pupils study different media and learn how to use cutting equipment safely and correctly. They develop their knowledge in layout, enlargement, sketching and 2D design.

Year 9

In year 9 pupils concentrate on one Technology area. This is usually the area that pupils enjoy the most and have achieved good grades in year 7 and 8. At the end of year 9 pupils will get an opportunity to study one other area for the last half term.

Food Technology – Students follow the Jamie Oliver Home Cooking skills course and if successful will be awarded a BTEC qualification. The course focuses on developing high level practical skills.

Resistant Materials – Pupils complete a range of projects in year 9 developing their skills in wood, metal and plastic. These projects include a Metal Sport Figure in which pupils will learn to form metal using brazing techniques. Lazy Tongs project which expands on the mechanisms work learnt in year 8 and modelling in card. The final project is an accessory box whereby pupils develop their technical drawing skills, design research and learn how to make complex wood joints.

Textiles Technology – Students carry out detailed research into graffiti, they learn several fabric colouring techniques and then they design a textile product. The product must include at least 4 decorative techniques and can be either: – a hat, a bag, shorts, vest top or PJ bottoms. This project also gives students an opportunity to explore fashion design and fashion sketching.

Graphic Products – Pupils complete their first project on CD and Point of sale design. This covers skills in advertising, 2D design, Lettering work and development and modelling in foam board. The second project pupils complete is to make a paper clip. Pupils work in acrylic and learn to measure and cut accurately to ensure the product works. Pupils then complete a stamp project. This focuses on printing techniques and develops their skills in 2D Design and Photoshop.