Design and Technology

Design and Technology Curriculum Vision

In Design Technology at All Saints we aim to build practical ability, equipping students with the skills to use a wide range of materials and processes in both every day and project based contexts. Students will learn to solve problems using research and experience to inform their ideas.  They will become practiced in communicating these skills by drawing and modelling.

We hope to enable all of our students to become resourceful and innovative and to gain an understanding of how design can improve the lives of others and our environment. We aim to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to make decisions about how products should be made in a modern and changing world.

K Bown

K Bown

Strategic Leader - Design Technology

KS3 Design Technology Curriculum

In KS3 Design Technology, our students study the following topics:

Year 7

  1. Funky fish keyring project
  2. Miniature picture frame project
  3. Storage box project

Year 8

  1. Mechanical toy project
KS3 Textiles Curriculum

In KS3 Textiles, our students study the following topics:

Year 7

  1. Design and make – mini monster
  2. Template making
  3. Pinning
  4. Hand stitches
  5. Using a sewing machine
  6. Applique and embellishments

Year 8

  1. Design and make – decorative panel 
  2. Researching artists
  3. Mood boards
  4. Embroidery
  5. Weaving
  6. Couching
KS4 GCSE Design and Technology - Product Design Curriculum

Year 10 Product Design Curriculum Outline

Exam board: AQA

In KS4 GCSE Design and Technology – Product Design, our students study the following topics:

Exam Paper: 50% of GCSE

  1. Core technical principles
  2. Specialist technical principles
  3. Designing and making principles

Non-Exam Assessment: 50% of GCSE

  1. Substantial design task
  2. Production of a prototype and portfolio of evidence

Useful websites

AQA GCSE Design Technology Specification

GCSE Design Technology BBC Bitesize

Technology Student

KS4 GCSE Art and Design - Textiles Curriculum

Exam board: AQA

In KS4 GCSE Art and Design – Textiles, our students study the following topics:

Component 1: Portfolio (60% of GCSE)

A sustained project evidencing the journey from initial engagement to the realisation of intentions and a selection of further work undertaken during the student’s course of study.

Key skills:

  1. weaving
  2. felting
  3. stitching
  4. appliqué
  5. construction methods
  6. printing

Component 2: Externally set assignment (40% of GCSE)

Students will respond to their chosen starting point from an externally set assignment paper, evidencing coverage of four assessment objectives:

AO1: Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources

AO2: Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes

AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses

AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language

Useful websites

AQA GCSE Art and Design – Textiles Specification

KS5 A Level Design and Technology - Product Design Curriculum

Year 12 Product Design Curriculum Outline

Year 13 Product Design Curriculum Outline

Exam board: AQA

In KS5 A Level Design and Technology – Product Design, our students study the following topics:

Paper 1: Technical Principles (30% of A Level)

  1. Materials and their applications
  2. Performance characteristics of materials
  3. Enhancement of materials
  4. Forming, redistribution and addition processes
  5. The use of finishes
  6. Modern industrial and commercial practice
  7. Digital design and manufacture
  8. The requirements for product design and development
  9. Health and safety
  10. Protecting designs and intellectual property
  11. Design for manufacturing, maintenance, repair and disposal
  12. Feasibility studies
  13. Enterprise and marketing in the development of products
  14. Design communication

Paper 2: Designing and Making Principles (20% of A Level)

  1. Design methods and processes
  2. Design theory
  3. How technology and cultural changes can impact on the work of designers
  4. Design processes
  5. Critical analysis and evaluation
  6. Selecting appropriate tools, equipment and processes
  7. Accuracy in design and manufacture
  8. Responsible design
  9. Design for manufacture and project management
  10. National and international standards in product design

Non-Exam Assessment (50% of A Level)

  1. Identify and investigate design possibilities
  2. Producing a design brief and specification
  3. Development of design proposals
  4. Development of design prototypes
  5. Analysing and evaluating

Useful websites

AQA A Level Design and Technology – Product Design Specification

?