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“Throughout my 3 years at Bishop Stopford School, Design & Technology has always been close to my heart. Not only is it a personal favourite of mine but its staff and surroundings make it definitely an outstanding Faculty.” – Year 9 student.

Our emphasis in DT is to uphold our School's Intent by: 

  • prioritising individual worth and social cohesion in our lessons
  • developing highly literate students and
  • developing character

These are shown through the range of activities we have on offer in each lesson, where independent and group study are the norm, the focus on use of precise, technical language in each lesson, and our quality of interactions with our students, so that they are able to take responsibility for their own learning behaviour.

Key Stage 3

Our aims are those enshrined in the National Curriculum:

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making.

Design

  • Students use research and exploration, to identify and understand user needs, identify and solve their own design problems and respond to needs in a variety of situations. 

Make

  • Select from and use specialist tools, techniques, processes, equipment and machinery precisely, including computer aided manufacture
  • Select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials, components and ingredients, taking into account their properties

Evaluate

  • Analyse the work of past and present professionals and others to develop and broaden their understanding
  • Investigate new and emerging technologies
  • Test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products against a specification, taking into account the views of intended users.

Technical knowledge

  • Understand how more advanced electrical and electronic systems can be powered and used in their products [for example, circuits with heat, light, sound and movement as inputs and outputs]
  • Apply computing and use electronics to embed intelligence in products that respond to inputs and control outputs using programmable components. 
Key Stage 4

The course is administered by AQA.  It follows a full ‘design and make’ exercise based on a theme set by AQA and is assessed through a Non Examined Assessment task. There is also written examination which covers all aspects of the course including material specific knowledge and understanding and designing skills.

Topics covered:

  • Core Design Theory
  •  Introductory projects prepare students for the controlled assessment task.
  • Non Examined Assessment design portfolio.
  •  Realisation of product(s) and evaluation completed to deadline.
  •  Exam preparation and revision exercises      

Assessment:

  • AQA specification
  • Non Examined Assessment – 50% of the final subject grade.
  • Written examination – 50% of the final subject grade.
  • Group feedback is provided following Non Examined Assessment rules.

KS4 Design Technology  (Food Preparation & Nutrition)

The course is administered by OCR

Topics covered:

  • Food preparation, cooking and presentation
  • Food provenance
  • Food safety
  • Food choice
  • Cultural origins of food
  • Food Science     

Assessment:

  • 15% - Non examined assessment – scientific exploration
  • 35% - Non examined assessment – plan, prepare and present 3 dishes
  • 50% - Written examination

Homework:

30 minutes of homework is set each week.  The nature and style of homework is largely dependent on the class activity being undertaken but will generally focus on design skills and / or theoretical knowledge. During the Non Examined Assessment, homework will focus on appropriate areas of study.

Enhancement Activities:

  • Rotary Young Designer
  • Rotary Technology Challenge
  • Rotary Young Chef

Text books are loaned to students when necessary for theory work and/or revision purposes.

The curriculum is carefully structured, so that there are progressive levels of challenge and high expectations in each year.

From Year 7, students will undertake practical activities in all material areas, consider the role of technology in the wider world, extend their knowledge of key processes and sustainable working. 

By the end of Year 9, our learners will be able to write as designers, and build increasingly sophisticated skills in evaluation. They will also develop confidence in practical processes and be able to design and manufacture products that solve problems for specific target markets. 

Enrichment

  • Rotary Young Designer (Year 11).
  • Rotary Technology Tournament (Years 8 and 10)

The Design & Technology Team

  • Mr J Sidgwick – Head of Department
  • Mrs B Miles 
  • Mrs Rebecca Smith 
  • Mrs J Reed 
  • Mrs T Ashton
  • Mr G Coxon 
  • Mrs H Baker

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