Design and Technology
Design Technology is the study of materials and processes in a workshop environment. Students will create a range of products and investigate technology in the real world.
“The mind is like an umbrella, it functions best when open.”
Walter Gropius
Course description
We aim through Design and Technology to offer a unique learning experience, to stimulate curiosity about everyday products and develop skills and knowledge essential for an increasingly technologically advancing world. Our integrated Key Stage 3 Design and Technology programme draws together Engineering, Graphics and Product Design. Our facilities are first class, including specialist workshops and studios, as well as access to virtual rapid prototyping, laser cutters and industry-standard computer aided design, graphic design and electronic programming software.
Students within KS3 will study all aspects of the design process, including how professional designers and manufacturers work together to develop and market new products. The course includes aspects of architecture, electronic product design, engineering, graphic design and computer aided design and manufacture. It aims to develop skills of creativity, teamwork, independent problem solving and communication as well as practical skills. The curriculum includes industrial practice and links with local industries. We have outstanding extra-curricular opportunities within Design and Technology ranging from designers in residence and business links to enterprise activities and local, regional and national competitions.
What skills do I need to be successful?
You will need to be organised, able to plan your work and keep to a time plan/scale, be willing to contact companies, and have an interest in product or industrial design as well as have the curiosity to understand how products and components function.
What will I need to do outside of lessons?
Pupils will need to gather research, work in sketchbooks and complete homework tasks and be curious about design and manufacture of products.
What equipment will I need to provide?
Pupils will need to bring a pencil case with a pencil, ruler, rubber and sharpener. All other materials and equipment will be provided for the pupil throughout their study at AHS.
What happens when you have finished?
The progression routes you can undertake at Archbishop Holgate’s School with the Design Technology route are: Level 2 OCR Engineering and Level 3 Engineering within sixth form.
Assessment
Students will have one assessed task per half term which will be built into a project based piece of work. They will also have an end of year assessment to consolidate the knowledge they have learnt in Design Technology.
Ways to help my child succeed
Your child can succeed in Design Technology through exploring different creative practical elements of the course. Practice and development of design sketching as well as practical skills is encouraged in our subject area to allow pupils to produce good quality design and analysis work.
Useful websites
“Manufacturing is more than just putting parts together. It’s coming up with ideas, testing principles and perfecting the engineering as well as final assembly”
James Dyson
Course description
The OCR Engineering course at Archbishop Holgate’s School is an exciting qualification, which has been developed to explore the range of Engineering manufacturing processes, materials, manufacturing requirements and developments in engineering manufacture. Engineering is an opportunity to explore how products are designed, developed and manufactured within industry using different methods and approaches.
The Engineering course aims to develop student’s knowledge, skills and practices over the course. Within KS3, students are taught theory content in the build up to Years 10 and 11. Within the course, pupils will use machinery such as the manual machines such as the Lathes and Pillar Drills as well as using CNC controlled machines and 3D CAD systems. Students will complete two internal units of work, which are internally assessed consisting of the submission of assignment/portfolio of work. Their assignment work is also moderated externally. The third section of the course is an external assessment to be sat in Year 11.
If students wish to pursue Engineering as a future career pathway they can complete the Level 3 Engineering course at Archbishop Holgate’s School sixth form. The Level 3 units build on Level 2 Engineering and would put you in an ideal position for either a degree in Engineering or an apprenticeship with a local or national engineering firm.
Assessment
On this course you will complete:
- RO14 – Principles of Engineering Manufacture (External Assessment). Within this unit the students will learn about different types of engineering manufacturing processes and requirements of an engineered product. Materials such as ferrous and non-ferrous metals, polymers ceramics, composites and smart materials will be understood in terms of the properties and uses. Students will sit an external written assessment that will have a range of questions on the different topic areas.
- RO15 – Manufacturing a One-Off Product (Internal Assessment). Students will be given a brief from the exam board which will require them to manufacture components of a product to produce a prototype. They will use the machinery in the workshop as well as hand tools. They will produce a portfolio of evidence containing a production plan, risk assessments and annotated work log.
- RO16 – Manufacturing in Quantity (Internal Assessment). Students will be given a brief from the exam board which will require them to produce CAD drawings and a template. They will learn and use CAD and CAM and program a CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) Machine to produce the components of the product. They will produce a portfolio of evidence throughout the assignment.
All three units will combine to form the overall grade for the course at the end of Year 11.
Exam board
The course title: Level 1/ Level 2 Vocational Award in Engineering (Technical Award)
This is the link to the exam board website: Engineering Manufacture Level 1/2
Ways to help my child succeed
Access to a computer will allow students to complete their internal assignment work as well as using the CAD/ CAM software. Students will have access to these at school and can download free resources at home to use. Pupils are actively encouraged to research engineering processes, materials and systems to support their understanding and knowledge. Supporting pupils in good time management is also key as they will be working toward key deadlines throughout the course in the academic year where they will submit work that will be moderated and count towards their final grade. Pupils also have the additional opportunity to attend sessions after school where they can develop their practical skills at extra-curricular sessions.
Useful websites
“Design is not just what it looks and feels like, design is how it works”
Steve Jobs
Course Description
Students will learn about commercial processes and careers in related industries, as well as developing core transferable skills such as creativity, problem solving, collaboration and communication. For their final piece students will be presented with a context which they will then investigate, design, develop and manufacture a concept for. This could be in the format of print, model, product or architectural design. The subject calls for students to combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past technology, its uses and effects.
If you choose this subject, you can move onto Level 3 course in Art and Design or BTEC Engineering Level 3 at the Sixth Form at AHS, which is ideal preparation for either a degree or apprenticeship within the future.
Assessment
This course will be assessed through two components. One internally produced assignment that will be externally moderated and One external synoptic assessment
On this course you will:
- Creative Practice in Art and Design. Within this component pupils will investigate art and design practice. They will develop research into designers, evaluating different materials, processes and techniques to inform their own design decisions and practice. Pupils will record their progression through designs, annotation, practical work and photographs in a portfolio of evidence that will be formally submitted at the end of the controlled assessment period. This will be internally assessed and externally moderated.
- Responding to a Brief. Within this synoptic assessment pupils will be given a brief by the exam board that they will respond to within a set examination period of time. Learners will respond to the brief by producing analysis work, research, design proposals and reflections to produce a final outcome. The work will be submitted in a portfolio of evidence that will be submitted to the exam board for assessment.
Both the two components will combine to form the overall grade for the course at the end of Year 11.
Exam Board
The course title: Level 1/ Level 2 in Art and Design Practice