Design and Technology

Subject leader

Liz Turton
liz.turton@swale.at

Curriculum Intent

At The Turing School, the Design and Technology curriculum empowers students with the technical and creative expertise needed to succeed in an increasingly technological world. Through hands-on learning and critical thinking, students develop the ability to design and make products that solve real-world problems while considering the needs and values of themselves and others. This subject also instils an understanding of the lifecycle of products and the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling materials; which we feel is crucial in tackling contemporary global issues.

Our curriculum not only equips students with valuable skills but also helps to cultivate a culture of innovation and resourcefulness. It promotes risk-taking and enterprising behaviour, essential qualities for success in any career. Moreover, it promotes respect for diversity and nurtures aspirations for personal and societal advancement. The subject also contributes to the development of cultural capital, which is essential in enabling students to make informed choices about their future careers and contribute to the wealth and wellbeing of the nation.

Curriculum implementation 

Learning journey

KS3

During Key Stage 3 students will be using a range of materials, resources and machinery to create different products which they design, create and evaluate. As they progress through Key Stage 3, students will go on to further develop their skills, knowledge and ability to create more advanced products.

Year 7

At the start of Year 7, students will design, using Tinkercad, and create a key fob, using PLA on the 3D printers. The second project will be the construction of a mini nightlight. Students will create a pine base, a lasercut image onto acrylic using the Tinkercad programme and assemble this all together with a pre-made light strip. The third project will be to complete a bridge from the CAD software in the department and create a bridge in teams using spaghetti strong enough to hold weights.

Year 8

During Year 8, students will undertake three projects. The first will be the lantern project, which will expand their knowledge of electronics slightly from year 7. The students will create a frame from wood and card after learning about pictograms and other graphical techniques. The second project they will make a tea light holder, considering the materials they will use and the impact that they will have. The final project will be a graphics project looking at 'pop ups'.

Year 9

During Year 9, students will undertake two projects. The first they will plan and create a small wooden trinket box with a lid. The second project will be to design and create a board game with  logo and graphically presented board and game pieces made from 3D printed material or hand made.

KS4

In Key Stage 4, we run the GCSE AQA Design and Technology course, which runs over 2 years. This course is made up of one exam (worth 50% of the final grade) and one Non Examined Assessment, which is worth 50% of the final grade.

Year 10

During Year 10, students will look at different aspects of the GCSE course and learn the theory of materials and their properties as well as construction techniques for woods, metals and plastics.

Students will also complete different practical sessions, modelled around the final project which they will complete in Year 11. The first of these tasks will be to create a birdhouse alongside short one lesson practical tasks for quick assessments, the second task will be to create a lamp using the laser cutting machines and 3D printers.

Year 11

At the end of Year 10, the exam board releases the Non-Examined Assessment briefs, and students will choose an area to focus their final making project on. They will then produce an electronic folder of research and CAD designs in order to produce a final physical model of their final design idea.

Additional websites and resources

This invention helped me write again

Bitesize: KS3 Design and Technology

Oak National Academy: Key Stage 3, Design & Technology Units

Careers and Enrichment

College courses which link to DT

Specific Course Examples:

• Product Design Technology
  (BSc Hons): This course merges creativity with practical skills to turn concepts into working products. 

• Engineering
  (various branches): DT prepares students for engineering fields like Mechanical, Civil, and Aeronautical engineering by fostering problem-solving and technical knowledge.

• Architecture:
  This field leverages the design, planning, and problem-solving skills from DT. 

• Graphic Design:
  The creative aspect of DT can be a strong foundation for a career in graphic design. 

• Fashion and Textiles:
  This pathway uses the material knowledge and making skills developed in DT. 

• Interior Design:
  The creative and practical aspects of DT are applicable to designing interior spaces. 

• Hospitality and Catering:
  This area benefits from the practical application of food science and food preparation learned in DT. 

• Carpentry