Key Stage 3

During Year Key stage 3, students will design and then manufacture a range of products using different materials. Students will be taught the relevant skills and knowledge to be confident and competent in using materials, tools and machinery in practical projects throughout the year, communicating their ideas and designs by using a variety of techniques and processes.

Whilst developing these valuable practical skills students will be taught how to work following health and safety guidelines, ensuring that all students are safe whilst working with a range of resistant and non-resistant materials, tools, drawing media tools and equipment. Students will be encouraged to investigate and analyse design and technology innovation and use this to inform their own work, and they will understand the responsibilities of designers, including environmental responsibilities, safety to user and manufacturer.

Over the course of Key Stage 3, students will be taught the following skills and knowledge:

• The Design Cycle (including design briefs, specifications and user requirements)
• Analysis and Research (including industrial process, materials and the law)
• Presenting design ideas (including a range of techniques, British Standards and Computer Aided Design)
• Manufacturing (including production plans, safe working practices, use of tools and machinery and evaluation)

Key Stage 4

During GCSE study, students will design and then manufacture a range of products using different materials. Students will be taught the relevant skills and knowledge to be confident and competent in using materials, tools and machinery in practical projects throughout the year, communicating their ideas and designs by using a variety of techniques and processes.

Whilst developing these valuable practical skills students will be taught how to work following health and safety guidelines, ensuring that all students are safe whilst working with a range of resistant and non-resistant materials, tools, drawing media tools and equipment. Students will be encouraged to investigate and analyse design and technology innovation and use this to inform their own work, and they will understand the responsibilities of designers, including environmental responsibilities, safety to user and manufacturer.

Over the course of Key Stage 4, students will be taught the following skills and knowledge:

• The Design Cycle (including design briefs, specifications and user requirements)
• Analysis and Research
• Presenting design ideas
• Manufacturing (including production plans, safe working practices, use of tools and machinery and evaluation)

For further information about our Design Technology curriculum, please contact Mrs H Whittle, Head of Creative and Vocational, by emailing h.whittle@westcraven.co.uk or phoning the main office to arrange a call back