Year 7

Students follow the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum Framework in Technology. This ensures all students can search for information to generate ideas, use annotated sketches to communicate, model and make artefacts from those ideas. They look at different areas and types of manufacture, use different types of tools including CAD/CAM to produce well made fit for purpose products that they are able to evaluate and modify.

Year 8

Pupils follow the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum Framework in Technology. This ensures all students can search for information to generate ideas; use annotated sketches to communicate, model and make artifacts from those ideas. They look at different areas and types of manufacture; use different types of tools including CAD/CAM to produce well made fit for purpose products that they are able to evaluate and modify.

Year 9

Students follow the National framework for Design and Technology at Key stage 3. This means that they have opportunities to work with a range of materials and techniques, including catering, resistant materials and textiles. In years 8 and 9 they have been introduced to these areas and carried out design and make activities that develop their skill, knowledge and understanding. A key aspect of the subject is the ability to apply knowledge to a design concept and then carry out production safely, economically and effectively using the properties and working characteristics of the material. We expect the students to develop the ability to analyse a need and take initiative to create a product that fulfils the requirements. By the end of year 9 students should have the ability to safely manage tasks in an effective sequence to create high quality products.

Year 10

Catering

Catering is designed to give candidates an opportunity to extend and apply their skills and knowledge of the catering industry within a variety of contexts. It enables students to extend their design and technology capability in order to meet human needs and opportunities which have direct implications on the lifestyle and environment of all people. Catering provides progression opportunities both directly into employment and to further learning opportunities within employment, or to further study. It concentrates on the main areas of food production and food service as an introduction to the catering industry.
The assessment is made up of two units of work. Unit 1: Catering Skills is a controlled task set by the examination board to be completed over 45 hours. This gives 60% of the final mark. Unit 2: Catering and the Customer is a final written examination worth 40% of the overall qualification.

Child Development

Students are studying for the AQA GCSE Childcare qualification. The specification is broken into a number of units.
Parenthood, Pregnancy, Diet, Health and Care of the Child, Development of the Child and Support for the Parent and Child.
Students have now finished a research task about birth plans which is worth 20% of the qualification. Soon they will be carrying out unit 3 which is an indepth child study which will be worth 40% of the overall qualification. Finally students will need to prepare for the written examination which covers content from each of the units above. This is worth the remaining 40% of the qualification.

Resistant Materials

This is a practical based problem solving course, working in materials such as wood, metal and plastics. Students will be involved in individual projects which include designing, making and evaluating their work. From introductory teacher led project work the students will progress to work of their own choice (with consultation). Theory aspects of the course will be covered in the form of tasks set by the teacher which will be completed by the student as homework. Computer aided design and the aid of computer aided machinery is now compulsory for the GCSE and can be answered with use of a CAMM1 machine, a computer-linked milling machine and a laser.
Assessment:- The assessment comprises one major piece of made coursework which is supported by a comprehensive design folder and is worth 60% of the total mark. This is accompanied by one formal end of course examination which carries 40% of the final mark.
The Nature of the Work:- The nature of the work on this course is such that it needs a very strong commitment on behalf of the students. It is essential that they can see themselves able to work independently on their own design led projects, carrying out their own research and investigating the methods by which they are going to be able to bring their work to completion.

Textiles

Through the syllabus students will be able to develop a further understanding and knowledge regarding fibres and fabrics; construction of textile products; designing with textiles, creative use of textiles and the textile industry. The candidates will specialise in either FASHION (garments and accessories) or FURNISHINGS (textile products which enhance indoor or outdoor spaces and environments). Assessment
One examination paper = 40% of total mark (Foundation and Higher Tier 2 hours)
Coursework/Project = 60% of total mark

The Coursework Project

The Coursework Project can be the candidates own choice of work. It will involve:-
(a) preparation of a design folder (around 20-30 sides of A3) which includes research, analysis, specification, design ideas, development of a solution, evaluating, testing and modification. Graphical communication and use of IT will be taken into account.
(b) making a fashion or furnishing product. The product should be functional, aesthetically pleasing and fun to make.

Year 11

Catering

In Year 11 students complete the examination specification and they prepare for, and complete, their second controlled task (task 1 is completed in Year 10 and is worth 20% of their final examination mark). Task 2 is worth 40% of their final mark and is up to thirty hours in length. Finally students prepare and revise for the written part of the examination which is the remaining 40% of the exam. Students will continue to do practical work up until the Easter break.

Child Development

Students are studying for the AQA GCSE Childcare qualification. The specification is broken into a number of units.
Parenthood, Pregnancy, Diet, Health and Care of the Child, Development of the Child and Support for the Parent and Child.
Students have now finished a research task about birth plans which is worth 20% of the qualification. Soon they will be carrying out unit 3 which is an in-depth child study which will be worth 40% of the overall qualification. Finally students will need to prepare for the written examination which covers content from each of the units above. This is worth the remaining 40% of the qualification.

Creative & Media

The course covers units such as research techniques for the media industries, pre-production techniques for the media industries, production management project, working to a brief in the media industries, critical approaches to media projects, understanding the interactive media industry, digital graphics for interactive media, working freelance in the media industries, designing i-dents for television, stop motion animation production, 2D animation production, graphic narrative production, web authoring, interactive media practices and video production for interactive media.

Graphics

Students are studying AQA Graphic Products GCSE. The course requires students to work with a variety of graphical materials such as paper, board and vinyl. They also use computers to design and manufacture their various design concepts. Students look at commercial design and production processes so that they can make reference to them during their own designing and they develop their
graphical communication skills through a range of drawing exercises. To date students have completed some quick projects and short focused skills sessions. They are now carrying out their major project which is worth 60% of the overall GCSE. The project brief has been selected from a range provided by the exam board.
In addition to ongoing design work, students are preparing for the exam which is worth the remaining 40% of the qualification.

Resistant Materials

This is a practical based problem solving course, working with materials such as wood, metal and plastics. Students will be involved in individual projects which include designing, making and evaluating their work. The course consists of a number of small practical projects in each of the main material areas, focusing on effective accurate and safe use of workshop equipment including hand tools and hot metal techniques. Theoretical and design activities are carried out during lessons and there will be additional tasks set as homework in preparation for the exam at the end of year. Computer aided design and manufacturing must be incorporated as part of the project in order to reflect manufacturing in the workplace. Example materials and assessment criteria are accessed through the school Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
Assessment:- The assessment comprises one major controlled assessment task which is chosen from a range set by the examining board. This involves establishing design criteria and then creating a range of design proposals prior to making the product this is worth 60% of the final mark. The 2 hour examination contributes 40% of the final grade and tests students designing ability and knowledge of materials, equipment and processes.
The Nature of the Work:- The nature of the work is generally very practical but this is supported by some design work involving research, analysis and development of proposals. Students need to be independent workers and manage their own tasks and time effectively at all stages of the course.

Textiles

Through the Syllabus students will be able to develop a further understanding and knowledge regarding fibres and fabrics; construction of textile products; designing with textiles, creative use of textiles and the textile industry. The candidates will specialise in either FASHION (garments and accessories) or FURNISHINGS (textile products which enhance indoor or outdoor spaces and environments). The course is recommended as a Design and Technology Option for all students who enjoy designing and making with textiles and who would like to produce garments/accessories or furnishings for themselves or others.
Assessment Coursework/Project
One examination paper = 40% of total mark The Coursework Project = 60% of total mark
(Foundation tier = 2 hours & Higher tier = 2 hours)

The Coursework Project can be the candidates own choice of work. It will involve:-
(a) preparation of a design folder (around 20-30 sides of A3) which includes research, analysis, specification, design ideas, development of a solution, evaluating, testing and modification. Graphical communication and use of IT will be taken into account.

(b) making a fashion or furnishing product. The product should be functional, aesthetically pleasing and fun to make.

Full Curriculum Statements can be downloaded below: