13th DecDesign and Technology
| Staff | |
|---|---|
| Faculty Leader | |
Our Ethos
In Design Technology we aim to develop students’ creativity through problem solving, using an iterative process in the following disciplines;
Resistant Materials, Textiles and Graphics. Students build knowledge and practical skills by using a range of tools and processes to help realise a final prototype. Food is also taught, which enables students to make healthy food choices both now and into the future.
We are currently in the process of finalising our updated knowledge maps, knowledge organisers for students, and assessment plans. These documents will be placed here once fully completed in the next few weeks.
Subject Curriculum Map(s)
KS3
In Design Technology students’ are taught through a carousel system, which allows them to learn a variety of different life skills that will be beneficial to them in the future and form the foundation if one of the disciplines is taken up as an option at KS4.
During Years 7 and 8, students have three lessons of DT over the course of a two week timetable, with one lesson being a double. At Mayfield we value Design Technology and believe that this extra time benefits our students because they are able to make more complex products, especially in Food.
In Year 9 students have two lessons which are taught as a double period. The subjects offered are; Food, Textiles, and DT (specialising in woods).
Below is a table outlining the curriculum offer at KS3.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Money Box | Car | Dolls House |
| Biscuit Cutter | Cube Calendar | Toys |
| Earphone Wrap | Food | Clock |
| Food | Textiles (Ugly Dolls) | Food |
| Textiles (Cultural Bean Bags) | Textiles (Street Art T-Shirts |
How will you be assessed?
Students will work their way through a booklet for each unit that accompanies their practical learning, and allows for the development of ideas to form. Within the booklet there are sections dedicated to self-assessment where the marking criteria is shared so that the students can make informed decisions about their progress.
Subject teachers will then review the students’ self-assessment before awarding a final grade based on the written and practical elements associated with Design Technology.
KS4
There are four options offered within the Design Technology faculty. They are;
- AQA GCSE Design Technology (specialising in woods)
- AQA GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
- NCFE Graphics (vocational qualification)
- BTEC Child Development
How can I help my child to revise?
Below are some useful links and books suitable for revision;
Design Technology
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zby2bdm
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9aOpwkXEoJbR-VnXF2gtFw
All students that opt for Design Technology are issued with a CGP revision guide in Year 10 which they should be using independently to prepare themselves for all pre public examinations along with other resources such as the websites referenced above.
Collins AQA GCSE Revision Design Technology (ISBN: 978-0-00-822741-8)
For information on careers related to Design Technology click on the link below
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/tags/zn7h8xs/jobs-that-use-design-and-technology/1
Food Preparation and Nutrition
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zdn9jhv
All students are issued with a CGP revision guide book from the school which they should be using independently to prepare themselves for their exam along with other resources such as the websites referenced above.
Collins AQA GCSE Revision Food Preparation and Nutrition (ISBN: 978-0-00-816634-2)
For information on careers related to food click on the link below
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/tags/zvty7nb/jobs-that-use-food-and-nutrition/1
Teacher-Student Relationship
As a faculty, the Design and Technology teachers aim to build positive relationships between themselves and their students. We understand that each and every student have different strategies for learning and achieving their goals. Some students will learn quickly with little help, whereas others may require extra assistance and more in-depth explanations.
The communication between the student and the teacher serves as a connection between the two, which provides a better atmosphere for a classroom environment. A significant body of research indicates that academic achievement and student behaviour are influenced by the quality of the Teacher-Student relationship. The more the teacher connects or communicates with students, the more likely they will be able to help students learn at a high level and accomplish quickly.
Home Learning
In Design & Technology, it is expected that home learning is to form an integral part of the course of study and schemes of work. In addition students have the opportunity to complete outstanding work in Design & Technology after school; where they can get support from a teacher.
Our Expectation:
All students will be expected to complete meaningful home learning tasks at each Key Stage. The faculty recognises the value and importance of the role of home learning as a means of;
- Developing the students’ knowledge and understanding
- Developing students’ subject specific key skills in order to prepare them for further studies in Design & Technology
- Supporting keys skills of literacy, numeracy and communication where appropriate
- Supporting learning in subsequent lessons
- Challenging and stretching students through curiosity
- Developing independent learning skills
- Providing opportunities of feedback from adults in order to evaluate success and quality of their work
Implementation:
The faculty aims to support expectations by:
- Setting meaningful home learning tasks in accordance with the whole school home learning policy
- Linking home learning to work covered in class (connect the learning)
- Marking home learning promptly and with constructive feedback
- Providing students with an opportunity to ‘FIXIT’ following feedback
- Rewarding effort and quality of home learning via the schools reward policy
- Responding to those students whose work is incomplete and/or fails to meet the required standard through the use of appropriate reprimands
- At KS4 and KS5 by offering meaningful interim assessment opportunities and feedback designed to assist students to develop and improve their work
Extra-Curricular Activites
The Design and Technology faculty at Mayfield School recognises the importance Extra-Curricular activities has on extending and consolidating learning. The Design and Technology department offers after school clubs for different students of different abilities and gives Design and Technology Key Stage 4 and Key stage 5 students the opportunity to use dedicated after school sessions to make sustained progress in their learning.
