Overview
The core principle in Design and Technology is to deliver an ambitious and coherent curriculum, which will embed knowledge and understanding for all pupils. This will not only allow them to excel at GCSE and A-level but have skills for life, equipping them for future learning and employment. Throughout the broad curriculum we aim to successfully thread practical skills and knowledge, to increase pupil’s independence and resilience. We continue this approach within our remote learning ensuring it complements the curriculum taught in lessons.
Year 7 Intent:
In year 7, pupils aim to broaden and develop their KS2 knowledge through an introduction to the principle KS3 Design technology curriculum which continues to build the foundations for the future. This will be achieved by chronologically threading theory and practical understanding. Pupils plan to cover two main subject areas allowing repetition of skills to enhance their recall of the key principles which underpin the learning in subsequent years. Year 7 Food sets a focus for pupils to be introduced to the main topics of nutrition, health and safety and preparation skills, these are then embedded through appropriate practical activities which allow the skills to be refined. Year 7 RM plans for pupils to be introduced to the main topics of product analysis, new developments and drawing skills connected with a range of practical skills which is underpinned through theory teaching.
Year 8 Intent:
In year 8, pupils aim to recall the key theories taught in year 7 and experience a curriculum that aims to broaden their learning through continuously building on their understanding. Similarly, to Year 7 pupils experience a range of theory knowledge threaded with practical skills that refines their previous knowledge. Year 8 Food, focuses on pupils having a deeper understanding of nutritional knowledge and applying this learning to external factors that can affect outcomes (e.g seasonality), practical recipes are connected to the theory understanding. Year 8 RM intends to introduce new areas of understanding in electronics and CAD/CAM designs whilst still deepening understanding of the key practical and theory knowledge gained in year 7.
Year 9 Intent:
In year 9, the curriculum aim is to deepen the understanding of design technology and extend on practical skills. This is planned through a range of enhanced practical projects that use skills that have been taught in year 7 and 8 with increasing levels of difficulty, and independence to achieve a final outcome. Year 9 Food, focuses on giving pupils the chance to experience special diets, industry links and developing practical skills. Year 9 RM intends to introduce new media to challenge pupils, whilst drawing on pupils taught knowledge from other years. This is threaded with knowledge on material properties, and mechanical systems to drive a higher understanding.
GCSE Intent:
In their GCSE studies pupils aim to recall knowledge from the basic KS3 principles taught and develop their learning further. This will allow them to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of knowledge and techniques, through the use of enhanced learning opportunities to achieve independent learning outcomes. GCSE pupils’ study one of two options, Engineering or Catering. Pupils will cover both theory and practical skills which continuously builds on prior learning while focusing on making connections in depth in key areas to extend their knowledge and understanding. Pupils will be required to build on their cultural capital when relating learning to the developments in the world of work and processes in industry. The curriculum intends pupils to develop their speed and precision in their practical skills independently and working as a team.