Design Technology
Design Technology at The Misbourne is a rigorous and comprehensive subject. With a strong focus on iterative design, students have the opportunity to generate creative responses to a wide range of design challenges and get to realise their ideas through the acquisition of building and making skills.
Our intent within Design Technology is to nurture and embed life skills which can be utilised throughout life, allowing students to embrace their creativity while developing independent, self-confident learners. Our cultural capital opportunities will encourage students to appreciate the work of others within real-life situations, opening eyes onto the world beyond the school gates. Our ambitious, accessible curriculum offers set high expectations and aspirations across a range of specialisms to ensure students to go on to lead happy and successful lives.
So, if you like Design Technology and it's the right fit for you - why don't you click here to see where it can take you?
Key Stage 3
Throughout Key Stage 3, students will focus on working safely whilst developing knowledge and skills using a variety of tools and equipment. Focus will also be on quality finishing of final products to produce successful outcomes.
Year 7 – Sweet Dispenser
The sweet dispenser is a design and make project using resistant materials to make a product. The product is a simple storage and dispensing device for hard candy, eg Smarties / M&Ms. The container consists of a wooden unit with a simple lever mechanism and a reused jam jar to hold the sweets. Students will develop designs for the container to enhance its appearance using recycled materials where possible.
Year 8 – LED lamp project
This project will tap into an alternate skill within Design Technology where students will be making use of computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacture (CAM) in researching, designing, planning and making an LED lamp based on a design movement era. This will involve more in depth use of IT through using a design software programme to map out both the component parts required for cutting on a laser cutter and for designing an insert panel based on a design movement of Art Deco or De Stijl. This project will also introduce students to some basic electronics.
Year 9 – Animal Shelter project
This project will tap into an alternate skill within Design Technology where students will be making use of computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacture (CAM) in researching, designing, planning and making an animal shelter based on a design brief and consumer feedback. This will involve more in depth use of IT through using a design software programme to map out both the component parts required for cutting on a laser cutter and for designing a personalised panel. On completion of this project, students will also further develop hand tool and machinery practical skills in marking out and making a mini frame project.
Key Stage 4
GCSE Design Technology Exam Board: AQA
An exciting and creative course which sets out the knowledge, understanding and skills required to undertake the iterative design process of exploring, creating and evaluating. Students must also demonstrate mathematical and scientific knowledge and understanding, in relation to design and technology.
Design Technology skills are integrated into three core topics:
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Core technical principles
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Specialist technical principles
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Designing and making principles
Component 1:
Written exam: 2 hours
100 marks
Total: 50% of GCSE
Component 2:
Non-exam assessment (NEA): 30–35 hours approx
100 marks
Total: 50% of GCSE
Upon completion of this course, students will be qualified to go on to further study or embark on an apprenticeship or full-time career in design technology industries.
Useful revision resources
- Textbook: AQA GCSE (9-1) Design & Technology 8552 by M J Ross ISBN: 978-1910523100
- CGP revision guide and exam practice workbook: issued in lessons for student to use outside of the classroom
- BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zby2bdm
- Seneca Learning (https://www.senecalearning.com/); a very useful knowledge and revision resource which uses spaced repetition, active retrieval, interleaving, multimodal representations and visual memory cues to increase students’ retention of information.
- You Tube: Design Technology on Demand: https://www.youtube.com/@designandtechnologyondemand
Department Staff
Mrs K Cato -Curriculum Leader and Food Preparation and Nutrition Teacher
Mr E Clayton - Assistant Curriculum Leader and Design Technology Teacher
Ms J Hawes - Technician
Mr P Bates - Technician
Useful Websites and Resources
AQA Design Technology: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/gcse
Seneca Learning: https://www.senecalearning.com/
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| DT Curriculum Map |