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Design & Technology
Design & Technology
"Life is not a technological ladder, it is more of a cultural wheel." ― Alan Fletcher, The Art of Looking Sideways
At St George’s we are committed to offering creative design opportunities to our students across the two subject areas: of Design and Technology and Food Preparation and Nutrition. We endeavour to deliver a creative curriculum that allows students to be fully conscious and aware of the technological world that is ever evolving around them.
Students are offered the chance to research, analyse and then solve real problems in an innovative and inspiring atmosphere where success is possible for all. Our theory and project based curriculum offers the wide range of technical skills.
Design and Technology at St George’s is a highly successful department in all key stage areas. We promote students to be creative and imaginative in their work and to turn ideas into reality by working to a brief. Each term we reward four students- two students from each key stage, with a personalised DT star trophy and designer book. This reward represents their outstanding class work, homework or practical outcome.
Our 4 Core Principles are:
Design, Make, Evaluate
2D into Reality
Iteration is Essential
Design then Make, Make then Design, Making and Designing
We have links with UAL University of Arts London, University of Leeds, Design Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Construction Youth Trust, Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, Formula 1, Pizza Pilgrim, The James Dyson Foundation and Tatty Devine.
The following specifications/projects are taught in the Design & Technology department:
KS3 Year 7 DT
Pewter Project - An adventure with metal
Maze Game - An adventure with wood types
Key Tags - An adventure with CAD and acrylics
KS3 Year 8 DT
Art Movement designer clock - An adventure through time
Eco Case - An adventure with upcycling textiles
Technical Drawing- An adventure with a pencil and ruler
KS3 Year 9 DT
Monster keytag - An adventure with Polymer types and CAM
Pop Art Embroidered Cushion - An adventure with Textiles and Pop Art.
Fragrance Packaging Photoshop Project - An adventure with Paper types and CAD
At KS3 our aims are to introduce the subject with a passion and overall focus on giving all pupils the opportunities to turn their creative ideas into reality.
to strive for successful outcomes.
to strive for successful outcomes
be creative and develop thinking skills
work independently and develop self esteem
to develop attitudes of curiosity, enquiry, initiative, ingenuity, resource fullness.
to experience a range of different materials
We have high expectations of all our students and lead by example. We deliver Design and Technology with a consistent and coordinated approach. Design Technology is taught in 3 workshops and Food and Nutrition is taught in a specialist food technology room.
Key Skills Required
Pupils will learn through the three main principles of the design making process - Design, Make, and Evaluate. Pupils will follow the design process to research, design, and manufacture and evaluate a marketable outcome.
Number of lessons per week: 1
Homework
Homework will be set on a weekly basis via SMHW. The homework will often be research or design and annotates are a key requirement. All homework will be expected to be completed in the KS3 booklet provide during lesson 1. If booklet is damaged or lost, replacement will cost £1.
Assessment Details
Pupils are assessed regularly, through questioning, homework task and green pen tasks. Diagnostic monitoring will take place twice per half term.
Pupils should spend at least 30 minutes on their homework.
Always bring to lesson a pencil, rubber, shaper, ruler, pen and colour pencils.
Make sure that all work is presented neatly and always written in full and detailed sentences.
Keep booklet clean and safe by purchasing a clear folder from the department for 20p.
How can a parent help their child succeed?
Supervise your child’s homework.
Understanding what the homework success criteria is used for.
Be willing to answer questions to help your child.
Prompt your child to use keywords at all times when annotating.
Please encourage your child to discuss their projects with you and explore new technologies, materials and products with them.
At KS4 pupils study the new AQA GCSE Design & Technology Specification.
The new qualification is modern and relevant, so students can learn about contemporary technologies, materials and processes, as well as established practices.
The new GCSE places greater emphasis on understanding and applying iterative design processes. Students will use their creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.
Year 10
Mock NEA - None exam assessment
Unit 1 Core technical Principles and Unit 2 Specialist technical principles (first half) theory lessons with weekly topic test.
School exam at the end of the year (one paper).
Year 11
Real NEA - None exam assessment task set by AQA.
Unit 2 Specialist technical principles (second half) and Unit 3 Designing and making principles theory lessons with weekly topic test.
National GCSE exam at the end of the year (one paper).
At KS4, pupils study the new AQA GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition specification.
Our fresh and exciting GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition specification equips students with an array of culinary techniques, as well as knowledge of nutrition, food traditions and kitchen safety.
Created with help from teachers and subject experts, it will inspire and motivate your students,opening their eyes to a world of career opportunities and giving them the confidence to cook with ingredients from across the globe.
Year 10 Unit 1: General Practical Skills & Hygiene and safety Unit 2: Baking/ Raising agents Unit 3: Vegetarian cooking & Salad dressings and emulsions Unit 4: Proteins: meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese Unit 5: Preparing and combining choux pastry. Unit 6: Food Nutrition and food labels Unit 7: Cultural differences and Special diets Unit 8: Issues affecting food choices and food preservation
School exam at the end of the year (one paper).
Year 11 NEA - None exam assessment task set by AQA (two NEA’s)
Theory lessons with weekly topic test.
National GCSE exam at the end of the year (one paper).
At Key Stage 5, pupils study the new AQA A-level Design and Technology: Product Design Specification.We teach the enhanced new course that is modern and relevant, so students can learn about contemporary technologies, materials and processes, as well as established practices.
The new qualifications place greater emphasis on understanding and applying iterative design processes. Students will use their creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.
We encourage our students to apply for design related degree courses at university. We will support you through out the UCAS application process (personal statement), portfolio creation and interview skills.
Year 12 Mock NEA - No exam assessment . Design, make and evaluate project.
Technical principles: Theory lessons with weekly topic test
School exam at the end of the year (one paper).
Year 13 NEA - No exam assessment. Substantial design and make task
Designing and making principles: Theory lessons with weekly topic test
National A Level exam at the end of the year (two papers).
