Design & Technology
The curriculum intent for Design & Technology is to equip learners to deal with tomorrow's rapidly changing world.
It encourages learners to become independent, creative problem solvers and thinkers as individuals and part of the team. It enables them to identify needs and opportunities and to respond to them by developing a range of ideas and by making products and systems. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
Through the study of core technical principles, specialist technical principles and design and making principles, learners combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industry. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate past and present technology, its uses and impact.
It is the intent of Harris Boys Academy for Design & Technology to be taught in all KS3 year groups through at least two topics per half term. Design & Technology projects are often made cross-curricular, with strong links to core subjects such as Maths and Science.
With this knowledge, students are prepared to be able to use technology through creating, designing and making. Learners will be able use design and technology to develop their ideas into a suitable level that will set them up for the future workplace and to become active contributors in the digital world we now live in.
Students learn how to take risks, become resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.
For more information on the Design and Technology Curriculum please contact James Allison J.Allison@harrisdulwichboys.org.uk.
Curriculum details
Download the DT Long Term Curriculum Plan for Years 7-11.
Revision resources
Helpful revision guides
Collins GCSE Design and Technology Product Design
GCSE Design & Technology Product Design AQA Revision Guide
AQA GCSE Design & Technology All-in-One Revision and Practice
Revision links
Examples of work
Example of Key Stage 3 work
Examples of Key Stage 4 work
Homework
Key Stage 3 homework is set using drawing tasks, based around a particular theme or topic. These are graded together with the complete project. Students at KS3 will be expected to complete three homework tasks per half term.
All Key Stage 4 students will be given a comprehensive revision booklet filled with exam style questions. The revision tasks will be completed on a weekly basis and will relate to theoretical lessons taking place that week.
Careers
Design Technology GCSE is ideal preparation for AS Technology courses and a range of other post-16 Art, Design and Technology courses.
It is also good preparation for a number of careers such as but not limited to:
- Automotive engineering
- Civil engineering
- Building services
- Construction
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Mechatronics
- Architectural technology
- Teaching
- Digital & multimedia design
- 3D design
- Communication design
- Interaction design
- Management / administration
- Spatial designer
