Design & Technology
Design & Technology is a popular and successful part of the school curriculum and provides many opportunities for the students.
Head of Department: Mr B Bull
Email: jpb@bws.wilts.sch.uk
DT Teacher: Mr G Lloyd
Email: bwb@bws.wilts.sch.uk
DT Teacher: Mrs S Redmill
Email: smr@bws.wilts.sch.uk
At KS3 the Department aims to provide students with the opportunity to combine creative thinking and independent learning with the development of practical and technological skills to design and make products.
Students are encouraged to become independent learners and more globally responsible through looking at materials and their recycling, developments in technology and sustainable energy. This understanding is developed further as students move on to GCSE and A-level courses.
The department has two specialist DT rooms and a dedicated IT suite with access to the latest DT/CAD/CAM software to support the students' learning.
Key Stage 3
A programme has been designed so that all pupils follow a common foundation course. Design and Technology is compulsory in the lower school and pupils can opt later on to follow the subject at GCSE and A-Level. The emphasis is to provide all pupils with a course which offers a rich experience and develops capability in all areas of study. The main elements of the course are related to Designing and Manufacturing Products.
Students are timetabled a double period of Design and Technology in years 7, 8 and 9 during which they will gain experience in designing and making in a range of different materials and learn a wide range of making skills.
All KS3 students are introduced to three key elements of DT:
Designing: This will include research and analysis, ideas, sketching, model making, teamwork and the use of ICT).
Making: This will include the use of tools, machinery; processes; material construction techniques, drawing and planning.
Theoretical Knowledge: This will include electronics; material technologies and industrial practices.
Pupils are expected to provide the following equipment in preparation for their study. They need to ensure they are brought to each lesson. All of the equipment can be purchased locally and some in the school shop. Under Health & Safety Guideline all pupils are expected to wear an apron (available from the school shop)
- Apron
- HB Pencil
- Coloured Pencils
- Black fine line pen
- Glue Stick
- 300mm ruler
DT Homework is set in line with the Lower School homework policy
Year 7 - Resistant Materials
As with everyone starting out in a potentially dangerous environment the year 7s begin with an introduction to health and safety of the workshop, then progress on to basic understanding of the using a variety of workshop tools safely and effectively. In amongst this they will also learn about how the full design process work through designing and making 3 projects across the year:
Crank toy – The Crank Toy focuses on introducing students to the Design and technology workshops. Using a kit of parts they have to assemble into the basis of a crank toy. This provides the students with the opportunity to be creative about the theme they want the mechanism to animate.
Photo frame – The project introduces the use of traditional workshop equipment, combined with CAD (TechSoft 2D) and CAM processes (laser cutter engraver) to produce a personalised photo frame.
Mobile phone rest – This introduces the students to acrylic. The project will enable students to understand how this plastic material can be cut, shaped and formed. They will be able to further develop their CAD/CAM knowledge by using the vinyl cutting machine to personalise their project.
Year 8 - Resistant Materials
The year 8 projects are designed to also push boys problem solving skills and expand their knowledge of industrial practices using a variety of production methods. This has been done through 3 projects:
Maze game – With the emphasis on learning about types of batch and mass production students use CAD (computer Aided Design) software students are able to design intricate mazes that a CNC machine will route out for them. They then learn how to tap and screw covers on for a professional finish.
Structures – Working in groups students are given a limited amount of construction materials to build a bridge across a 300mm raging river. The aim is for the bridge to hold as much weight as possible before total destruction, in this fashion testing their problem solving skills.
Desk light – This will build upon the Working in groups students are given a limited amount of construction materials to build a bridge across a 300mm raging river. The aim is for the bridge to hold as much weight as possible before total destruction, in this fashion testing their problem solving skills.
Year 9
In year 9 the students are expected to draw from the previous two years of knowledge and experience to fully research, design and make three projects.
Clock Project - The first project has a plastics emphasis. Using mainly acrylic and adding on details with vinyl plastic, giving them the opportunity to independently use a CNC machine to cut the vinyl into intricate shapes to a professional standard.
Materials Bug Project – The bug is made of a variety of materials including a block of pine, sheet acrylic and aluminium. This project introduces students to shaping metal using a hammer and forming. The combination of materials exposes students to the problems that may occur when combining various materials with very different properties so we will be focussing on using screws and wedge joints.
Graphics Project – The last project is where the students are introduced to a range of graphical techniques. These involve hand drawing techniques as well CAD based techniques.
GCSE
The Design and Technology department currently offers the Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Design & Technology course.
Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Design & Technology enables learners to identify, consider and solve problems through creative thinking. Students will gain technical and design awareness and develop skills such as initiative, resourcefulness, enquiry and ingenuity. They also develop the communication skills central to the design process. Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Design & Technology provides an ideal basis for further study and equips learners with technical knowledge and practical designing and making skills for the world of work. The syllabus is designed to accommodate a wide range of interests, materials and resources.
This GCSE consists of 2 written papers, each worth 25% of the available marks, plus a design and make project worth 50%
Paper 1 is a written/drawing paper, of 1 hour 15 minutes which is based on Product Design. Candidates answer one of three questions which assess their design understanding and abilities.
Paper 2 is a written paper of 1 hour, which assesses the Specialist option, Resistant Materials, as well as the Common content: Product Design. Section A contains 10 compulsory questions and section B, where candidates choose one out of three questions.
Design and make project - The remaining 50% of the available marks are awarded for a School-based project, internally assessed, but externally moderated. Each candidate will produce a design folder and a made product. The project area is decided by the candidate with advice, as appropriate, from their teacher. Candidates are encouraged to make full use of the wide range of ICT available in school for design work. Freehand sketches and hand drawn technical drawings and computer-aided design (CAD) generated drawings are acceptable. The school provides both traditional workshop facilities, as well as computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). Candidates are encouraged to make full use of this type of equipment, which includes a CNC laser cutter/engraver and CNC router.
