Why learn Design & Technology?

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, students design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Students learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

The national curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all students:

  • develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
  • build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users 
  • critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others 
  • understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

Design & Technology Curriculum Overview

Please click the year group and half-term to view additional information.

Part A (SHN)  - September - February half term - two week timetable
Knowledge
Food
TOPIC - Hygiene and safety and basic practical skills including sensory testing.
Skills / application of knowledge
Understanding how to be safe in a kitchen and how to produce practical work safely, including how to weigh and measure correctly, how to conduct yourself correctly in the kitchen.  This includes practical applications including knife skills, making crackers and selecting ingredients to personalise dishes.
Assessment
DC1 PROVE IT – I can independently prepare food safely using a range of techniques in a safe and hygienic way.
Part B (JWA)  - September - February half term - two week timetable
Knowledge
D&T – Materials timber, metals, plastics, Smart materials
Wooden phone stand
Skills / application of knowledge
Understanding how to be safe in a workshop and how to produce practical work safely, including introduction to a range of tools.

Students will explore the design process and meeting a design brief.

Students create a working phone stand and evaluate their work.
Assessment
DC PROVE IT – I can independently manufacture and assemble a functioning product using soft wood.
Part A (SHN)  -  February half term -  Summer - two week timetable
Knowledge
Food
TOPIC. – Complete all sections of the Eatwell Guide and understand the long term benefits of having a healthy diet.

Further development of practical skills.
Skills / application of knowledge
Student will learn about the Eatwell Guide and explore the sections of the Eatwell Guide including carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Students will continue to learning about food hygiene and safety, in particular handing meat effectively to avoid food poisoning.

Students will continue to develop their range of practical skills including using the hob, independently following a recipe.  Independently choosing the own flavours to make muffins,  enrobing chicken to make goujons and how to correctly handle hot liquids when making toffee popcorn.
Assessment
DC2 PROVE IT – I can explain how to make food safely and hygienically and practically; I can use a range of skills to safely and hygienically to make dishes using a broad range of equipment.

End of year Exam
Part B (JWA)  -  February half term -  Summer - two week timetable
Knowledge
D&T – Materials timber, metals, plastics, Smart materials
Graphics - Papers & boards
Wooden Jigsaw
Skills / application of knowledge
Refresh understanding of how to be safe in a workshop and how to produce practical work safely, including introduction to a range of tools.

Students will develop knowledge of different materials.

Students will create a tangram logic puzzle and evaluate their outcome.
Assessment
DC2 PROVE IT – I can independently manufacture a product to a set specification, creating an aesthetically pleasing jigsaw.

End of year Exam
Part A (SHN)  - September - February half term - two week timetable
Knowledge
Food
TOPIC – The Healthy Eating Guidelines and development of safely producing a number of practical dishes.
Skills / application of knowledge
Students will understand that the recognised healthy eating guidelines is the ‘Eatwell Guide’ and the ‘Eight tips for a Healthy Lifestyle’.

Students will understand how to safely and hygienically produce a range of practical dishes including knife skills, sauce making and making dough.
Assessment
DC1 PROVE IT – I can explain the term ‘Healthy Eating’ and ‘The Eatwell Guide’.
Part B (JWA)  - September - February half term - two week timetable
Knowledge
D&T – Materials timber, metals, plastics, Smart materials 
Electronics Systems CAD/CAM
Mini desk lamp
Skills / application of knowledge
Refresh understanding of how to be safe in a workshop and how to produce practical work safely, including introduction to a range of tools.

Students will develop their knowledge of electronics and workshop techniques.

Students will create a functional mini desk lamp and evaluate their work.
Assessment
DC1 PROVE IT – I can independently manufacture and assemble a functioning electronic product. 
Part A (SHN)  -  February half term -  Summer - two week timetable
Knowledge
Food
TOPIC – Understand the functional and chemical properties of the key ingredients in baking.

Further development of practical skills.
Skills / application of knowledge
Student will learn about the functional properties of the main ingredients when making biscuits.  This includes sugars, flours, fats and eggs.

Students will explore the practical application of the above knowledge by making biscuits using a range of sugars, flours, fats and eggs.

Students will continue to develop their range of practical skills including using a whisk, cooking a two step dish (pasta and sauce) and independently following a recipe
Assessment
DC2 PROVE IT – I can explain how, using different ingredients you can alter the appearance, texture and flavour of a dish.  I can use a range of skills to safely and hygienically to make dishes using a broad range of equipment.

End of year Exam
Part B (JWA)  -  February half term -  Summer - two week timetable
Knowledge
D&T – Materials timber, metals, plastics, Smart materials
CAD/CAM
Metal ornament 
Skills / application of knowledge
Students will develop their workshop skills using a range of different materials.

Students will explore the design process and work to respond to a set brief, designing and refining their product before manufacture.

Students will create a metal ornament and evaluate their work.
Assessment
DC2 PROVE IT – I can independently manufacture and assemble an aesthetically pleasing metal ornament.

End of year Exam
Part A (SHN)  - September - February half term - two week timetable
Knowledge
Food
TOPIC – Influences of Food Choices and Food Provenance
Continued development of practical skills. 
Skills / application of knowledge
Students will understand that there are 11 influences of food choices and how these are applied when making food choices.  These included (and will be explored in detail; culinary skills, food provenance and healthy eating choices.

Students will make a range of increasingly complex practical dishes including pasta, chicken goujons and sauce, biscuits and kebabs.
Assessment
DC1 PROVE IT – I can understand how the 11 influence so food choices can be applied when selecting foods to eat.
Part A (SHN)  -  February half term -  Summer - two week timetable
Knowledge
Food
TOPIC – Understanding healthy eating and nutrition.  Continued development of practical skills.
Skills / application of knowledge
Students will develop a basic understanding of nutrition and the effect of different foods in the body, including fats, carbohydrates and proteins.

Students will then understand how to apply their knowledge by learning to read food labels and making comparisons of similar foods with different nutritional content

Students will continue to broaden their practical skills by making gyozas, a traybake, a quick dinner and their own cupcakes.
Assessment
DC2 PROVE IT –
I can explain the effect of eating a healthy balanced diet and the effect of eating different nutrients on the body.  I can use a range of skills to safely and hygienically to make dishes using a broad range of equipment.

End of year Exam
Part B (JWA)  -  February half term -  Summer - two week timetable
Knowledge
D&T – Materials timber, metals, plastics, Smart materials 
CAD/CAM
Passive speaker
Skills / application of knowledge
Students will revisit workshop health and safety including the safe use of a range of tools and materials.

Students will develop designs and respond to feedback, following the design process.

Students will design and make a functioning passive speaker.
Assessment
DC2 PROVE IT – I can independently manufacture and assemble a functioning mixed wood speaker.

End of year Exam
Part C (ABH)  -  February half term -  Summer - two week timetable
Knowledge
D&T Textiles
Topic: Textiles Technology – Variety of printing techniques digital and analogue
Skills / application of knowledge
Textiles print
Digital prints
Analogue (poly prints)
convergent (more prescribed)/ divergent (less prescribed) 
Assessment
DC2 PROVE IT – I can demonstrate both analogue and digital-based techniques, when producing a print design.

End of year Exam