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Design Engineering

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The Design Technology Department provides students with ambitious, creative opportunities to develop intellectually challenging practical and theoretical problem-solving skills which can be applied to all aspects of their lives. It allows students in Key Stage 3-5 to explore both the natural and ever-changing manmade world, taking inspiration from the work around them, producing inspiring creative solutions to problems which they may encounter through ‘products of worth’. Skills are taught progressively through Design Engineering and Textiles allowing students to apply the knowledge and skills learned in other subjects, particularly Maths, Science and Art; rooted in technical knowledge and vocabulary.  

All teaching of Design Technology follows the iterative design process, which ensures students actively question their development in this subject, thus growing an aptitude to learning and independent working, with the ability to manage risks exceptionally well to manufacture products safely. Typically, students will manage their directed time through research, analysis, development of concepts, manufacture of an artifact/ prototype and evaluating their journey in the classroom, normally via 6-12 week projects. The focus becomes the journey in which students critically analyse previous work and in turn consider where they will direct improvements in the future. Through our extended curriculum, we are able to further build on skills that allow students to progress outside the taught curriculum, giving them the tool kit to study this subject into further/ higher education and the workplace. 

KS3

Year Group

Areas of Study

7 & 8

Unit 1: Art Deco Box – design and make a timber box in the style of Art Deco

Unit 2: Tube Map Puzzle – design and make a tube map puzzle in the style of Henry Beck

Unit 3: Compact Mirror – Design and make a Compact Mirror in the style of Des Stijl design movement. Teaches about CAD and sublimation printing

Unit 4: Clocks – design and make a design clock suitable for a chosen target market, make in acrylic

Unit 5: Graphic skills – looking and presentation skills and drawing skills to make the students into successful young designers

Unit 6: CAD skills – Students learn Tinkercad, a free online modelling programme

 

NB. Students study Design Engineering for the whole year in either Year 7 or Year 8

9

Unit 1: Tablet Stand – design and make a tablet stand based on the bagpress manufacturing process

Unit 2: Anglepoise Lamp – a skills unit where students manufacture their own interpretation of the famous anglepoise lamp, in timber

Unit 3: Biomimicry Bookmark – students explore conceptual ideas to design and make a bookmark inspire from design in nature. This uses the sublimation process to print on metal

Unit 4: Sustainable Candleholder – A short project exploring sustainability and reuse by making a candle holder from repurposed timber

Unit 5: Eliminium Light – A simple and playful folded metal light based on an animal, powered by a usb colour changing LED light

Unit 6: Graphic skills – observational and presentation skills and drawing skills to make the students into successful young designers

 

NB. Students make mini option choices in the creative subjects and through these opt into studying Design Engineering

GCSE

Board

AQA

Outline of the Course

  • GCSE Design Engineering: DT is a popular subject that focuses on the creative development of products by planning, designing and engineering solutions to everyday problems. This involves lots of making and hands on iterative design in the school workshops.
  • Year 10 focuses on building key design and making skills through a range of exciting projects – this is only assessed in school.
  • Year 11 focuses on the major coursework project and end of year examination.
  • In Year 11, students will visit the Design Museum in London, taking part in a workshop before exploring the exciting exhibitions.
  • DT teaches you key skills and will help support many subjects such as maths and science. We will also help you develop sketching skills and design style.
  • You use many tools and machines to produce a range of exciting projects. You will experience using the laser cutter, 3D printer and CNC cutter (all CAM machines).
  • Class sizes are small, approx 16 per class.
  • 1 in 11 jobs in the UK are in the creative sector. DT opens many career opportunities such as engineering, architecture, furniture design, fashion, retail etc.

Assessment

 

Type of Assessment

Duration

Weighting

1

Year 10 – internally assessed through mini projects and theory lessons

All Year 10

0%

2

Non Examinable Assessment – Year 11 Major Coursework Project based on exam board project ideas

June Year 10 –
March Year 11

50%

3

Examination – based on key theory learnt in Years 10 and 11 based on materials, processes, design influences and design issues

2 hours

50%

A Level

Minimum Entry Criteria

Desired: 7 in Design Technology related subject (or portfolio of creative work if the subject is not studied at GCSE)

Essential: 6 in Design Technology related subject (or portfolio of creative work if the subject is not studied at GCSE)

Board

AQA

Outline of the Course

Year 12

Students develop a range of products across 1 year in the form of a portfolio of design sheets and products such as a portable radio or a piece of conceptual furniture. Students should be able to design creatively, with skills such as drawing, rendering, 3D computer modelling and using technologies such as 3D printing will be taught early on. This allows the students to develop their skills through a variety of different projects, which is assessed internally. There is an internal examination component too based on Paper 1 which assesses core technical, design and making principles. The first project our students will tackle is the ‘milkmaid stool’, a project that has been incredibly successful in developing core workshop skill using a variety of machines, before moving onto a major project where they design and develop a portable radio based on a Dieter Rams.

Year 13

Using the skills learnt in Year 12, students have the opportunity to design anything, so long as it satisfies a chosen need or problem. Past projects have included: a wooden pushbike, electric guitars, chairs, bedside furniture, cots for babies, accessible outdoor loungers. Students are taught how to use a wide range of tools and equipment in our very well equipped design rooms. A portfolio of work is developed alongside a product. Paper 1 is assessed in Year 13, as well as Paper 2 which assesses specialist knowledge of technical design and making principles.

Assessment

 

Type of Assessment

Duration

Weighting

1

Examination: Theory based Paper 1

2 hours

25%

2

Examination: Theory based Paper 2

2 hours

25%

NEA

Year 13 Coursework: Major Project (60 hrs)

June – March

50%
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