The technology department is a strong, well established team that aims to deliver a curriculum that is creative and exciting. Technology, by definition, never stands still and our curriculum reflects this completely; we are constantly looking for new products to make, new techniques to explore and new ways to make our learning more interesting. Our aim is to try to offer a wide variety of opportunities for our students, both within the curriculum and through extra-curricular activities including competitions, visits to local businesses and working with visiting groups.

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KS3 Curriculum plan/map

In years 7 to 9 our students are taught one lesson per week in Food & Nutrition and one in Design and Technology. From September 2020 we are also adding some new modules in Textiles to our year 7 and 8 curriculum

In the DT modules students are based in the workshops and CAD suite, working with and learning about wood and plastics as well as Computer Aided Design and Electronics whilst making a variety of products including clocks, spatulas, mood lights and speakers.

In Food lessons our students are introduced to the kitchen, focusing on basic cooking skills, safety and hygiene as well as learning about healthy eating and developing their food preparation and cooking skills

Projects include

Year 7

Food and Nutrition – Health, Safety and Personal Hygiene. The basics of Food Preparation.

Textiles – The Monster project

Design & Technology – The Spatula Project. Clock making using plastics. The metal Key ring Project

Year 8

Food and Nutrition – Diet and Health – The Eatwell Guide. Food choice, availability and waste

Textiles – The pencil case project

Design & Technology – Computer Aided Design – the logo project. The Mood light. Introduction to 3D drawing techniques

Year 9

Food and Nutrition – Food & Nutrition. Food Science.  Food Choice. Food Provenance. Food Safety

Design & Technology – CAD and Electronics – The Speaker project. Materials Science. Sustainability

How are students assessed at KS3?

In each of our KS3 projects our students are assessed on 3 key tasks.

·        An end of module test – where students can demonstrate the knowledge that they have learned during the module

·        A practical mark – Reflecting the quality and complexity of their practical work

·        An extended writing task – testing their understanding of key subject content

KS4 Curriculum plan/map

At KS4 we currently offer 4 different courses. These are:

·        BTEC Level 1/2 Technical Award in Engineering. This course focuses more on the industrial aspects of technology. Students learn about aspects of mechanical and electronic engineering as well as working in metal and Computer Aided Design.

·        WJEC EDUQAS GCSE in Food Preparation and Nutrition. This course focuses on developing the food preparation knowledge and skills that were introduced during the ks3 lessons. Students learn a wide range of practical skills and develop their understanding of the scientific principles that underlie the preparation and cooking of food.

·        WJEC Level 1/2 Award in Constructing the Built Environment. Students on this course will develop knowledge of health and safety within the construction industry as well as developing skills in Joinery, Plumbing, Painting and Decorating and Electrical installation.

·        AQA GCSE Design and Technology. In this subject students work in a wide variety of materials and extend their learning from their ks3 DT lessons. They can then choose to focus on working within a particular area of expertise when they work on the coursework and exam units.

The projects completed in each subject area are outlined below

How are students assessed at KS4?

All of our assessments for years 10 and 11 focus on how our students are progressing in building the skills, knowledge and understanding required to undertake their exams and coursework tasks. As such, the breakdown of how marks are awarded at each assessment point will mirror how they will be awarded by the exam board itself.

So, for example, as the DT GCSE has a final exam that is worth 50% of the overall mark; our students will complete a mock exam before each assessment point that will contribute 50% towards their predicted grade. The other 50% of the final grade is earned by completing a coursework project where students have to research, design, develop, manufacture and evaluate a product. In order to predict how our students will achieve in this part of the course they will be assessed in each of these skills areas through a variety of projects throughout year 10.

Food Technology GCSE is split into 3 components.  Two are based on food preparation and nutrition in action. These are 2 non-examination assessments (NEA), the first is an investigation assessment worth 15%, the second is a food preparation assessment worth 35% of the overall mark. The third component is a written exam, based on the principles of food preparation and nutrition, worth 50% of the overall mark.

Extension activities/Planned Trips

The department try to organise a range of trips and competitions including

·        Year 9 visits to Rolls Royce Engineering

·        The I Rail competition

·        Young Engineers and Scientists of Derbyshire

·        Go4Set – an environmental design challenge

·        Visits to local Universities/colleges, museums and business

·        Trips to The Clothes show, BBC Good Food Show, VA museum

·        Visiting chefs to the school

We also open up our workshops after school in order for our KS4 students to gain extra help and support with their coursework tasks

Careers information/Next Steps

Each of our KS4 courses is an ideal steppingstone onto level 3 qualifications in DT subjects including A level Product Design. Students could also choose to go into vocational practical apprenticeships in areas including engineering, catering or construction.

Possible careers for students working in Design Technology include all aspects of Engineering as well as vocational roles such as Electrician, Chef, Painter and Decorator, Carpenter or Plumber. Students could also work in design sectors like Interior Design, Architecture, Computer Aided Design or product Design.

Within the food and drink industry, it is made up of a broad range of careers, which all require different skills and interest. It provides opportunities for all levels of qualifications, rewarding careers, with rapid progression and has on average a high pay scale compared to other industries. You would be working in a fast-paced environment, which is constantly evolving to keep up with consumer demand. Career opportunities include, vegan chef, restaurant designer, food stylist, food media, personal/private chef, nutritionist or dietitian, food policy, food history, research and development.

The modern textile industry offers a broad range of career opportunities, from raw materials processing to the design of clothing and furnishings. Textile technology and Eco fibres look at the science and manufacturing of fibres and sustainability on the planet, to the design process of clothes and interior design. Career prospects comprise of clothing /textile technologist, colour technologist, interior/fashion/textile designer, conservator, graphic designer, printmaker, retail buyer, stylist and visual merchandiser.