Why do we learn design technology?
Head of Department
Our approach
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Studying design technology at GCSE
Year 10
Year 11

Why do we learn Design & Technology?

Ark Alexandra’s Design & Technology Curriculum aims to:

  • Develop students' design and practical skills using traditional techniques as well as the latest technologies so they can succeed in a technological world.
  • Create reflective students who evaluate and refine their work in order to produce quality outcomes of which they can be proud.
  • Challenge students to be creative and resilient problem solvers who enjoy taking risks, leading to innovative solutions.

We also teach the Christian values of Stillness and Reflection, Aspiration and Hope and Courageous Advocacy for Change.

Head of Department

Head of Art and Design Technology

Kelly Hawes

Our approach

In Design & Technology, students develop most of their knowledge and skills through completing focused project work, thus acquiring investigation, designing and making skills in preparation for GCSE and beyond. Progression has been planned so that students are taught key skills in year 7 which get progressively more challenging each year. By re-teaching key knowledge and skills, students from years 7 to 10 refine their skills so that by year 11 they have the potential to achieve excellence and the faith that this is an achievable goal.

Assessment is not always in the form of a written exam but may be the completion of an applied or practical task (e.g. analysis, research, designing, making, evaluating) which can be assessed to identify students’ level of understanding and capability. Literacy opportunities have been incorporated into the schemes of learning through inclusion of extended pieces of writing (analysis and evaluation pieces of work) as well as learning of core knowledge: words and definitions from years 7-11.

Exam theory is usually taught as part of projects, practical or Do Now starter activities rather than as stand-alone lessons, which creates a richer and more meaningful learning experience as students can apply their learning and have physical examples to refer to when revising.

Our curriculum offer is enhanced through our D&T and Textiles enrichment clubs, as well as our STEM Enrichment programme which is delivered by The Generating Genius Charity and gives students a personally selected mentor from a STEM industry who they meet with online to discuss their dream job and how they can pursue it. Trips and external visitors are organised to further enrich students’ learning experience, including Robot Wars and a visit to The Warner Studios: Harry Potter to see how their set and props are designed and made. We also offer a Summer School to primary students to increase their experience of Design & Technology.

Year 7

Autumn 1, 2 and Spring 1

Research and Design a Nature Inspired Lamp
  • Context Analysis
  • Specification
  • Themed Mood Board
  • Design Ideas
  • 3D Isometric Drawing Skills
  • Precise Measurement
  • Isometric Final Design
  • Rendering
  • Annotation
  • Motion and Mechanisms
  • 2D CAD Drawings
  • Laser Cutting
Spring 2, Summer 1 and 2
Timber-Based Materials, Making and Evaluating Lamp
  • Timber-Based Materials
  • Making Lamp
  • Timber Joining Methods
  • Deforestation and the FSC
  • Electronic Components and Systems
  • Soldering
  • Assembly
  • Evaluation
  • Final Assessment

All Year 7 subjects Next Year 7 Subject - Physical Education

Year 8

Autumn 1, 2 and Spring 1
Research and Design a Memphis Inspired Clock
  • Research and Design a Memphis Inspired 3D Clock
  • Development of Ideas
  • Specification
  • Design Ideas inspired by Memphis
  • 3D Modelling/Prototyping 
  • 2D CAD Drawings and Nesting
  • Laser Cutting
  • Isometric Final Design Drawing
  • 3D CAD
Spring 2, Summer 1 and 2
Polymers, Making and Evaluating Lamp
  • Isometric Final Design Rendering and Annotation
  • Health & Safety
  • Polymers
  • Forming Polymers using Production Aids
  • Drilling
  • Assembly and Vinyl Cutting
  • Sustainable Design
  • Quality Product
  • Customer Interview and Product Testing
  • Evaluation
  • Final Assessment

All Year 8 subjects Next Year 8 Subject - Physical Education

Year 9

Autumn 1, 2 and Spring 1
Open Brief - Research and Design a Product for a Teenager

 

  • Open Design Context and Analysis
  • Product Analysis
  • Isometric Initial Ideas
  • Specification
  • 3D Modelling/Prototyping 
  • Cutting List
  • 2D CAD Drawings and Nesting
  • Laser Cutting
  • 3D CAD

 
Spring 2, Summer 1 and 2

Iterative Design Development, Making, Testing and Evaluation

 

  • Two Point Perspective Drawing
  • Rendering using Marker Pens
  • Alterations to CAD Drawings
  • Assembly of Laser Cut Parts
  • Final Assembly
  • Finishes
  • Focus Groups, Product Testing and Evaluation
  • Final Assessment

All Year 9 subjects Next Year 9 Subject - Physical Education

Studying design technology at GCSE

Year 10

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Mock NEA Development of Ideas & Skills Project
  • Design Companies
  • Investigation
  • Context and Product Analysis
  • Customer Interview
  • Specification
  • Mood Board
  • Design Brief & Specification
  • Communicating Design Ideas
  • 3D Modelling
  • Timber-Based Materials
  • Stock Forms
  • Traditional Wood Joints
  • Conversion of Materials
  • Marking Out and Cutting Timber
  • Health & Safety
  • Specialist Techniques & Processes – Sanding, Drilling, Routing
  • Mechanical Devices - Linkages
  • FSC and Deforestation
  • Polymers and Forming Processes
  • Joining Methods
  • Inputs, Processes, Outputs
Spring 1 Spring 2

Completion of Mock NEA, Drawing Techniques and Exam Preparation

New and Emerging Technologies and Sustainable Design
  • Manufactured Boards
  • Surface Treatments and Finishes
  • Testing and Quality Assurance
  • 2D CAD
  • Evaluation
  •  Communication of Ideas: Orthographic, Perspective and Exploded Drawings
  • Revision for Mock Exam

 

 

 

  • New and emerging technologies: 3D CAD  - Solidworks and 3D Printing.
  • Environmental issues, sustainable and ethical design.
  • Environmental, social and economic challenge.
  • Flat pack furniture.
  • Forces and Stresses.

 
Summer 1 Summer 2
Metals, Skill Building and Revision NEA Coursework
  • The Work of Designers
  • Anthropometrics
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Scales of Production
  • 2D CAD
  • Pewter Casted Lid Detail/ Jewellery
  • Wooden box: skills based project
  • Revision for mock exam

 

  • Start NEA: Context Analysis
  • Product Analysis
  • Client Interview
  • Moodboard

 

All Year 10 subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Physical Education

Year 11

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
NEA Coursework Investigation NEA Development of Ideas
  • Context and Product Analysis
  • Customer Interview
  • Specification
  • Mood Board
  • Design Brief & Specification
  • Communicating Design Ideas
  • Revision
  • Revision
  • Development
  • Modelling
  • Materials Research
  • Final Design (Exploded Drawing)
  • Orthographic Working Drawing
  • Cutting List
  • 2D CAD
Spring 1 Spring 2
NEA - Making NEA - Making, Testing and Evaluation
  • Production Plan
  • 2D CAD
  • Marking Out and Cutting
  • Shaping and Forming
  • Revision
  • Assembly
  • Finishes
  • Testing
  • Evaluation
  • Revision
Summer 1 Summer 2
Exam Revision -
  • Revision – Section A
    Core Principles
  • Revision – Section B
    Specialist Technical Principles
  • Revision – Section C
    Designing & Making Principles
 -

All Year 11 subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Physical Education