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Design and Technology
BackINTRODUCTION
The Design and Technology Department at Abbs Cross encompasses Product Design (AQA Design Technology) and Food Preparation and Nutrition (WJEC).
The aim of The Design and Technology department is to offer students the opportunity to explore through a variety of creative and practical activities which foster a love of learning and an enquiring mind. Students are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the process of designing and making.
The subject focuses on generating and developing design ideas, mechanisms, structures, electronics and computer aided design (CAD) and manufacture (CAM). These skills are promoted alongside the more traditional skills of realisation in wood, metal and plastic.
Our students learn to use current technologies which provide a clear link to industrial manufacturing processes. This insight into the application of Design Technology in today’s workplace offers students a clear understanding of future career paths relating to the subject, and helps to contextualise their learning.
Food Preparation and Nutrition equips learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of food science and healthy eating. It encourages learners to make informed decisions about nutrition now and later in life. The subject also allows pupils to experience foods that they may not have come across outside of school.
Year 7-11 Learning Journey
Key Stage 3
Design and Technology
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When? |
Aut Term 1 |
Aut Term 2 |
Spr Term 1 |
Spr Term 2 |
Sum Term 1 |
Sum Term 2 |
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Year 7 |
Presentation Skills LED torch Project |
Maze Game Project |
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Year 8 |
Night Light Project |
Night Light Project |
Structures Project |
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Year 9 |
Steady Hand Game Project |
Steady Hand Game Project |
Steady Hand Game Project |
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Food and Nutrition:
Food Preparation and Nutrition equips learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of healthy eating.
All lessons encourage learners to make informed decisions about nutrition now and later in life giving them an insight on healthy dishes, alternative ingredients and a variety of cuisines to broaden their knowledge of different foods.
The subject also encourages pupils to prepare quick and healthy dishes that they may not have the confidence to prepare at home, providing them with lifelong cooking skills. Our students learn to use a variety of equipment, having an understanding of how and why they are used within the kitchen.
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When? |
Aut Term 1 |
Aut Term 2 |
Spr Term 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
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Year 7 |
health and safety, hygiene rules and healthy eating |
Cool School Meals |
Cool school meals (nutrition and healthy meals for teenagers) |
| Year 8 |
Come dine with me (learning the bases of a meal and presentation) |
Come dine with me (learning the bases of a meal and presentation) |
Egg Theory - use, structure and composition |
| Year 9 |
Individuals needs task - meals planned and made for specific individuals |
individuals need task - meals planned and made for specific individuals |
Cultural foods different foods eaten by different cultures. Learning faiths and beliefs |
Design and Technology (KS4)
(AQA)
The GCSE Design and Technology specification sets out the knowledge, understanding and skills required to undertake the iterative design process of exploring, creating and evaluating. Students will be involved in designing and making activities using resistant materials, textiles and electronics. Final assessment is based on a controlled assessment project and an accompanying design folio, as set by the examination board.
Examination
Written paper 50%
Coursework project 50%
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Half Term |
Aut Term 1 |
Aut Term 2 |
Spr Term 1 |
Spr Term 2 |
Sum Term 1 |
Sum Term 2 |
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Year 10 |
Automation & Production in industry Market pull & push Sustainability Renewable material, ethics & energy Systems & motion Smart & modern materials Material Properties |
Material Properties ACCESS FM Designing: Sketch & Model 6R's Properties of materials Stock & Size of materials Tools, equipment and processes Cutting & Forming of materials |
Cutting & Forming of materials Quality control Surface finish of materials Surface finish of materials Forces and Reinforcing Designers & Design companies |
Generating design ideas
Market research Writing design briefs Writing design specifications Types of technical drawings computer based tools |
Materials & Costing
Cutting, Shaping & Forming Tools and tool safety Surface finishing Machinery |
Specialist techniques
Changing properties of materials Scale of production Commercial Processes NEA - beginning research NEA |
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Year 11 |
NEA |
NEA |
NEA |
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Revision |
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Homework
Homework sheets on coursework content.
Project related work, e.g. investigations, research, analysis etc.
Future Careers
Design and Technology paves a solid path to further education in all aspects of design. Students who have studied Design Technology have gone on to pursue careers in fashion design, product design, graphic design and Engineering.
Exam Results 2024
Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving
Product Design:
GCSE Grades 9-4 = 79%
GCSE Grades 9-7 = 36%
Construction:
L2 Distinction = 40%
L2 Merit to Distinction = 60%
L2 Pass to Distinction = 100%
Food:
GCSE Grades 9-4 = 84.6%
GCSE Grades 9-7 = 15.4%
GCSE Results 2025
Product Design
70.6% Grades 9-4
Food Technology
81.3% Grades 9-4
GCSE Results 2026
Grades 9-4, 87%
Extra-Curricular/Clubs
- We aim to promote challenge both in lessons and with extra-curricular activities. The provision of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths club (STEM) club offers students the opportunity to extend their cross curricular learning and promotes progress across the ability range.
- Airgineers is a STEM drone Challenge for secondary school age students. As part of the Challenge, students design, build and learn to fly drones in two different classes – Micro and 3S. The drones in the Micro class are smaller and designed for use indoors, while the 3S drone is a high-speed, high performance racing UAV built for high speed flying against other drones outdoors. Students taking part in Airgineers are required to complete the unassembled kit kit, 3D prining the necessary frame components, soldering the electronics and programming the flight controllers.
- H/W will be timetabled on Google classroom for all years
