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Design Technology
Design Technology Department
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Subject Leader | Tanya Sarton |
| Design Technology Teachers |
Nicholas Mumford Lee Mayel |
| Technician | Clair-Louise Watts |
At Knole Academy from the start of year 7, Design Technology lessons are structured to teach students how to use a wide range of materials and equipment skilfully and confidently, with a focus on the technical skills and theoretical knowledge.
The DT Department is a safe and positive learning environment where our students develop their practical skills and build their confidence. Many students then go on to study DT for GCSE and A Level.
Key Stage 3
Our Key Stages 3 Design and Technology curriculum fosters an understanding of materials and processes that are the foundations of our GCSE and A Level courses.
Students are introduced to projects that follow iterative design processes, covering core principles that also allow for differentiation and progression. Students can develop their projects by adding personal preferences and developing their own ideas as they design and make their projects.
Year 7:
Model Houses, carnival floats.
Year 8:
Wooden robots
Year 7 and Year 8 have DT lessons on rotations, so all students complete a project during the year.
Year 9:
Pinball machines In year 9 we run one longer format project where students are introduced to a wider range of skills and processes to prepare them for the GCSE course. Students have one lesson per week and this is an option subject.
Key Stage 4
Exam board: AQA
Qualifications: GCSE Design Technology 8552
How is the course organised?
GCSE Design and Technology will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise.
The course allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. They will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.
The GCSE is comprised of two components that are completed over the two years of the course.
Written Exam
This is a two-hour paper in the Summer Term of year 11 where students answer questions to demonstrate their knowledge of:
- Core technical principles
- Specialist technical principles
- Designing and making principles
Non-exam Assessment (NEA)
The NEA is a longer form project that focusses on the practical application of:
- Core technical principles
- Specialist technical principles
- Designing and making principles
It involves a substantial design and make task where students produce a prototype and a
portfolio of work evidencing:
- Identifying and investigating design possibilities
- Producing a design brief and specification
- Generating design ideas
- Developing design ideas
- Realising design ideas
- Analysing & evaluating
How is the course assessed?
The Non-exam Assessment (NEA) is marked internally. Work is then moderated by an examiner from AQA. The written paper is marked externally by AQA. The weighting of each component is as follows:
50% - Written exam
50% - Non-exam Assessment (NEA)
Who are the courses for?
Design Technology is suitable for any students who have an interest in design theory and practice and are willing to work hard. Students who take this option at GCSE level learn to think in innovative and environmentally conscious ways and are encouraged to consider the wider world as they develop their work.
Key Stage 5
KS5 ART & DESIGN
Exam board: AQA
Qualifications: Advanced GCE in Design and Technology: Product Design 7552
A Level Product Design gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers. Especially those in the creative industries. Students will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning in to practice by producing prototypes of their choice. Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers.
Written exams
Paper 1: Technical principles
· Written exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes – 120 marks
Paper 2: Designing and making principles
· Written exam: 1 hour and 30 minutes – 80 marks
Both papers are a mixture of short answer and extended response questions.
Non-exam Assessment (NEA)
This component focusses on the practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles.
Students submit a written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of a final prototype.
How are the courses assessed?
The Non-exam Assessment (NEA) is marked internally. Work is then moderated by an examiner from AQA. The written papers are mark externally by AQA. The weighting of each component is as follows:
30% - Paper 1
20% - Paper 2
50% - Non-exam Assessment (NEA)
Who is this course for?
Our A Level Design Technology: Product Design course is suitable for students who enjoys being creative and who is willing to work hard. Students who study Product Design develop their creativity, technical skills, and a critical understanding of the wider influences on design and technology.
Enrichment And Extra-Curricular Activities
Knole Academy Design Technology Department provides a range of enrichment activities, including clubs, trips and workshops.
We run model making club where students can build 3D kit models.
Students can sign up for Innovate club. V&A Innovate is an annual National Schools Challenge, asking students in years 7, 8 and 9 to work in teams of 4 – 6 to identify a design problem and create a real-world solution.
Our workshop and computer room are also used at lunchtimes by students from all year groups to continue developing their work.
