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
Year 12
Year 13

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 (including CAD/CAM).
  • Create reflective students who strive to achieve high standards of skill and presentation in order to produce quality outcomes of which they can be proud.
  • Create kind and informed designers who consider the needs of their clients and the impact of their products on society and the environment.
  • Instil faith and resilience in students so they are undeterred when faced with challenges, persevere in order to solve problems and take risks to produce innovative outcomes. Teach the Christian values of Stillness and Reflection, Aspiration and Hope and Courageous Advocacy for Change.

Head of Department

Head of Art and Design

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 A-Level. 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 the inclusion of extended pieces of writing (analysis and evaluation pieces of work) as well as learning keywords and definitions from years 7-13.

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 enrichment clubs, as well as STEM and career activities throughout the year, e.g. Robot Wars. Trips are run to further enrich students' learning experiences. We also offer a Summer School to primary students to increase their experience in Design & Technology.

Year 7

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

Research and Design a Lamp Inspired

by a Culture

Clearly Communicating a

Final Design
  • Context Analysis
  • Specification
  • Cultural Mood Board
  • Design Ideas
  • 3D Isometric Drawing Skills
  • Precise Measurement
  • Isometric Final Design
  • Rendering
  • Annotation
  • Motion and Mechanisms
Spring 1 Spring 2
Timber-Based Materials and Making 2D CAD & Electronics
  • Timber-based materials
  • Marking out and cutting wood
  • Tolerances
  • Assembly
  • 2D CAD Drawings
  • Laser Cutting
  • Sanding
  • Electronic Components and Microprocessor Systems
  • Soldering
Summer 1 Summer 2
Finishes, Evaluation and Textiles Textiles
  • Finishes
  • Evaluation
  • Textiles - Stitches
  • Patterns
  • Seam Allowance
  • Lay Plans
  • Applique
  • Modern and Smart Materials

All Year 7 subjects Next Year 7 Subject - Physical Education

Year 8

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

Research and Design a Memphis Inspired 3D Clock

Development of Ideas
  • Context Analysis
  • Specification
  • Memphis Mood Board
  • Design Ideas
  • 3D Modelling
  • Isometric Final Design
  • Rendering
  • Annotation
Spring 1 Spring 2
2D CAD, Polymers, Making Making
  • 2D CAD drawings
  • Laser Cutting
  • Polymers
  • Plastic Forming Processes
  • Production Aids
  • Drilling
  • Timber-Based Materials
  • Sanding
  • Finishes
  • Assembly
Summer 1 Summer 2
Sustainable Design and 3D CAD Structures, Forces and Systems
  • 6R’s and Upcycling
  • Evaluation
  • 3D CAD
  • 3D Printing
  • Structures
  • Forces
  • Systems & Control

All Year 8 subjects Next Year 8 Subject - Physical Education

Year 9

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Research and Design a Speaker Development of Ideas
  • Product Analysis
  • Specification
  • Design Movement Mood Board
  • Design Ideas
  • 3D Modelling
  • 2D CAD drawings
Spring 1 Spring 2
2D CAD and Making Making
  • 2D CAD drawings
  • Soldering
  • Laser Cutting
  • Forming Processes
  • Production Aids
  • Drilling
  • Assembly
Summer 1 Summer 2
Vinyl Cutting and Evaluation 3D CAD
  • Screwing
  • Vinyl Cutting
  • Finishes
  • Evaluation
  • 3D CAD
  • Designing using New Materials and Technologies

All Year 9 subjects Next Year 9 Subject - Physical Education

Studying design technology at GCSE

Year 10

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Teenage Lifestyle 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
  • Surface Treatments and Finishes
  • Testing and Quality Assurance
Spring 1 Spring 2

Drawing Techniques, New Technologies and User Centred Design

Metals and Alloys; Textiles and Smart Materials
  • Perspective and Exploded Drawings
  • Exploded Drawing
  • New & Emerging Technologies
  • Enterprise
  • Sustainability
  • 3D CAD and 3D Printing
  • User Centred Design, Ergonomics
  • Social Issues
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Designers
  • Anthropometrics
  • 2D CAD
  • Casting
  • Textiles
  • Smart and Modern Materials
Summer 1 Summer 2
Paper and Boards Mock Exam Preparation and NEA
  • Paper and Boards
  • Flat-Pack Furniture Design
  • Mechanical Devices - Cams
  • Revision
  • Revision
  • Context Analysis
  • Product Analysis
  • Customer Interview
  • Mood Board

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
  • Revision
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, B and C.
 -

All Year 11 subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Physical Education

Year 12

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

Timber-Based Materials & Traditional Manufacturing Skills.

Design Movements and Designers.

Polymers, Metals, Paper and Boards.

Technological and Cultural Changes.

Design processes.
  • Timber and Manufactured Boards – properties and applications.
  • Wasting Processes.
  • Fabrication – traditional wood joints.
  • Design Methods and Processes.
  • Design History.
  • Design Movements.
  • Finishing Wood and Wood Enhancements.
  • Deforming Timber processes.
  • Knockdown fittings.
  • Types, properties and uses of Polymers.
  • Elastomers & Biodegradable polymers.
  • Forming, fabrication and finishing of polymers.
  • Metals and Alloys – properties and applications.
  • Metals – wasting, deforming, joining and redistribution processes; finishes.
  • Paper and boards; finishing and printing processes.
  • Technological & cultural changes.
  • Design processes.
Spring 1 Spring 2

3D CAD Modern Materials

NEA Coursework Investigation.

Responsible Design.
  • 3D CAD using the program Solidworks.
  • Critical analysis and evaluation.
  • Modern Materials – Composite and Smart.
  • Selecting appropriate tools, equipment and processes.
  • Revision.
  • NEA – Identifying and investigating design possibilities.
  • Accuracy in design and manufacture.
  • Responsible Design.
  • Design for manufacture and project management.
Summer 1 Summer 2

NEA Coursework – Investigation.

NEA – Design Brief and Specification.

NEA – Development of Design Proposals.

Requirements for Product Design and Development.
  • NEA - Identifying and investigating design possibilities.
  • NEA – Design Brief & Specification.
  • National and international standards in product design,
  • Digital Design & Manufacture.
  • Requirements for product design and development
  • Revision.
  • Revision.
  • Design communication skills.
  • NEA – Development of design proposals – Initial Ideas and Development.
  • Requirements for product design and development.
  • Protecting designs and intellectual property.
  • Design for manufacture.
  • Feasibility studies.
  • Enterprise.

All Year 12 subjects Next Year 12 Subject - Dance

Year 13

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Development of Design Proposals Development of Design Proposals
  • Development of Design Proposals – Initial Ideas.
  • Graphic Enhancement Techniques.
  • Rendering using Marker Pens.
  • Focus Group Feedback.
  • Development of Design Proposals – Modelling.
  • Revision.
  • Revision.
  • Development of Design Proposals – Modelling.
  • 3D CAD.
  • 2D CAD.
  • Working Drawings.
  • Production Plan.
Spring 1 Spring 2
NEA - Making NEA – Making, Testing and Evaluation
  • Marking out.
  • Cutting.
  • Forming.
  • Drilling.
  • Customer Feedback.
  • Revision.
  • Assembly.
  • Finishes.
  • Testing.
  • Evaluation.
  • Revision.
Summer 1 Summer 2
Revision -
  • Revision of All Topics.
 -

All Year 13 subjects Next Year 13 Subject - Dance