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 digital 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
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 careers 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.
Year 7
| Design, Make and Evaluate a Nature Inspired Lamp | |
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Textiles: Crazy Character
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All Year 7 subjects Next Year 7 Subject - Physical Education
Year 8
| Design and Make a Memphis Inspired Clock | |
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| Research and Design a Memphis Inspired Clock | |
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| Computing: Systems & Control | |
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All Year 8 subjects Next Year 8 Subject - Physical Education
Year 9
| Research, Design and Make a Passive Amplifier (Speaker) | |
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| Textiles: Eco-Bag | |
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Iterative Design Development, Making, Testing and Evaluation |
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All Year 9 subjects Next Year 9 Subject - Physical Education
Year 10
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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| Mock NEA | Development of Ideas & Skills Project |
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| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Completion of Mock NEA, Drawing Techniques and Exam Preparation |
New and Emerging Technologies and Sustainable Design |
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| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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| Metals, Skill Building and Revision | NEA Coursework |
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All Year 10 subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Physical Education
Year 11
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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| NEA Coursework Investigation | NEA Development of Ideas |
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| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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| NEA - Making | NEA - Making, Testing and Evaluation |
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| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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| Exam Revision | - |
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All Year 11 subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Physical Education