Welcome to the Design Technology Department
Mission Statement
The Department is committed to:
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Providing the opportunities for all pupils to develop their design and technology capability.
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Encourage a knowledge and understanding of health and safety as designers, makers and consumers.
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Help pupils demonstrate an understanding of the economic, moral, social and environmental consequences of design and technology innovation.
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Cultivate a Christian atmosphere in class.
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Help to prepare pupils for life after school.
The Importance of Design and Technology
In design and technology pupils combine practical and technological skills with creative thinking to design and make products and systems that meet human needs. They learn to use current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments. They learn to think creatively and intervene to improve the quality of life, solving problems as individuals and members of a team.
Working in stimulating contexts that provide a range of opportunities, pupils identify needs and opportunities. They respond with ideas, products and systems, challenging expectations where appropriate. They combine practical and intellectual skills with an understanding of aesthetic, technical, cultural, health, social, emotional, economic, industrial and environmental issues. As they do so, they evaluate present and past design and technology, and its uses and effects. Through design and technology pupils develop confidence in using practical skills and become discriminating users of products. They apply their creative thinking and learn to innovate.
‘The teaching of quality design and technology in our schools is a vital requirement for the country’s future in the 21st Century.’
James Dyson, inventor and manufacturer of the world’s first bagless vacuum cleaner
Staff working in the Department – Mr L McKenna, Mr P McClen,
Mr R Hall, Mr J Jordan, Miss J Lillystone, Mr J Mitchell.
Departmental organisation
During KS3, two streamed classes e.g. 7A and 7B are combined and then divided into three mixed teaching groups of approximately 22 pupils. The SEN groups are taught separately.
In year 7 and 8, each group is taught by a specialist D&T teacher in one of a suite of three multi-media workshops in the Lower School. Pupils remain with the same teacher for all activities throughout the two years where ever possible. This allows a relationship to be built up and allows the teacher to understand the needs of the individual.
All pupils receive 3 x 1hour lessons per fortnight - 6%
In Yr.9 the pupils are taught in new, purpose built workshops in the upper school. They follow a carousel system moving each term to a different specialist room. The rooms are equipped for the teaching of electronics, resistant materials and graphics. All rooms in the department are equipped with Interactive White Boards
Pupils in classes 9A – D have 2 x 1hour lessons per fortnight – 4%
Pupils in classes 9E – G have 3 x 1hour lessons per fortnight – 6%
At KS4 all pupils are entitled to follow a specialist course leading to a GCSE qualification. Currently the courses available are: electronic products, graphic products and resistant materials technology. The teaching time allocated for each of these courses is 5 x 1hour per fortnight or 10%. Alternatively pupils can opt for The Engineering Diploma which is allocated 10 x 1hour per fortnight or 20%.
Pupils from the E, F and G streams can choose from resistant materials, graphic products or the BTEC engineering course.
There is a specialist workshop for the teaching of engineering.
At KS5, St. Cuthbert’s offers Advanced Level Design and Technology: Product Design (3-D Design). This can be either a one year course at Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS), which is both the first half of an A Level and a qualification in its own right, or a two year course to gain the full A Level (A2).
AS level consists of
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Unit 1: Materials, Components and Applications. Written exam, 2 hours.
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Unit 2: Coursework, approx 50 hours
In addition A2 consists of
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Unit 3: Design and Manufacture. Written exam, 2 hours.
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Unit 4: Coursework, approx 60 hours
All units are worth 25% of total A Level marks. Units 1 and 2 are worth 50% of total AS marks.
This course is suitable for students who have studied D&T or engineering at KS4 and have achieved a grade C or above.
At KS5, two members of staff are allocated to both the AS and A2 courses. Students in year 12 are taught for nine hours per fortnight and in year 13 for ten hours per fortnight.
Homework
Homework is an important element of pupil learning as it reinforces, extends or compliments work completed during school time.
In KS3 a number of written homeworks have been prepared which relate to each of the practical projects or assignments undertaken. The frequency, timing and length of the homework will vary according to the tasks involved. They will be given when necessary and appropriate. In addition pupils will be required to undertake other tasks such as research, preliminary ideas, evaluations etc. Homework will generally be handed in the following lesson.
In KS4 the structure and content of the particular course dictates to some extent the amount and frequency of the homework. In addition to completing specific homework tasks pupils will need to develop and record the stages of the design process in their design portfolio. Supervised resources and facilities are made available after school to help pupils complete their coursework.
Assessment
Assessment is an integral part of the learning and teaching process and can provide valuable information about the pupil’s experiences, performance and progress. Staff employ a range of methods to make assessments. Assessment of the work in hand does proceed naturally and positive and constructive comment during the lesson can give the pupil encouragement and a feeling of success. Regular reviews of the progress are undertaken both generally with the group and individually with the pupils. Self assessment and peer assessment are encouraged. An assessment is made of each project based on the level of designing and making skills and also on the knowledge and understanding shown. The criteria to be used for the assessment of a particular project are decided by the teaching staff involved thereby ensuring judgements which are reliable and consistent and understood by both staff and pupils.
In addition, pupils undertake formal written examinations in design and technology twice a year. A percentage mark and position are derived for each pupil and recorded centrally. The information available enables staff to give a target and predicted National Curriculum Level or GCSE grade three times a year. A written report on each pupil is sent to their parents once a year.
Health and Safety
The effective management of safety in the Design and Technology Department can be seen as having three major components:
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Risk assessment and planning before a lesson.
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Organisation of routines during and between lessons.
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Control and monitoring.
All D&T teachers and technicians undergo DATA health and safety accreditation and certification (compatible with BS 4163 Health and Safety in Workshops in Schools and Similar Establishments)
Health and safety is emphasised regularly and information is posted in each workshop. All pupils are required to behave safely at all times.
The following recommendations and regulations are observed.
CLEAPSS – Model Risk Assessments for Design and Technology in Secondary Schools and Colleges.
LEA Code of Practice on Health and Safety in Design and Technology.
Health and Safety Maintenance of Design and Technology Workshop Equipment. L254
Managing Risk Assessment in Design and Technology L235
Local Exhaust Ventilation in Design and Technology. L225
COSHH Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.
Noise Risk Assessment. Newcastle City Council
Annual PAT testing of all electrical equipment.
Local authority health and safety officers visit the department periodically.
KS3
During KS3 pupils undertake a variety of design and make assignments and a number of focused practical tasks. These involve electronic products, graphic design and products made from resistant materials. They work with a range of materials including hardwoods, softwoods, manufactured boards, acrylic, HIP, PVC, aluminium and mild steel. Electronic components, adhesives, fastenings and fittings are also introduced. Pupils are taught the safe and correct use of a range of workshop tools and equipment. They learn to solder and produce electronic circuits using both veroboard and printed circuit board. In year 9 they are introduced to the software packages Crocodile Clips and Real PCB. Other software packages include ProDesk Top, 2D Design, and Photoshop.
Design and technology Programme of study for key stage 3 and attainment targets. www.qca.org.uk/curriculum
Courses at KS4
Engineering |
Electronics |
Graphics |
Resistant Materials |
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