Design Technology

Design and Technology is concerned with all aspects of the world in which we live, and how we live in it. It draws on a variety skills that incorporate practical and intellectual challenges.

The Design and Technology Department aims to provide an in inspiring, challenging and rigorous curriculum that encourages all students to develop an interest in and critical view of the made environment. Using creativity and imagination pupils design, develop and manufacture prototypes and products that solve real world problems from a range of contexts, considering their own and others needs, wants and values.

Students acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines including science, mathematics, engineering, computing and art.  Through the analysis and evaluation of past and present designers, designs and technologies, students develop a critical understand of designs impact on daily life and the wider world.

Within the Design and Technology Curriculum, students have the opportunity to develop their understanding of food preparation and nutrition. Allowing them to understand the components that make up a balanced diet and the function of foods on the body. Students develop a knowledge of food provenance, production and processing, considering our food choices impacts on sustainability and food security. Throughout KS3 students develop their practical skills within food preparation and nutrition producing a range of savory and sweet dishes, experimenting with ingredients and the flavor profile of foods.

Through the study of design and technology students become effective problem solvers, developing the resilience to approach challenges with imagination and confidence.  We support students to be design literate.  We equip them with the knowledge and understanding needed to create impact and change.  We challenge them to think about industrial developments and technological advancements, environmental, economic and ethical and sociocultural influences around the world. This helps them to visualise future possibilities.

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 gain a broad experience of Design Technology, covering the requirements of the National Curriculum through a range of carefully planned and progressive design and make projects. This allows them to make an informed decision as to what option they may wish to take at Key Stage 4.

Food Preparation and Nutrition

The Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE will help you to develop a greater understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. You’ll also learn about food from around the world, through the study of British and international culinary traditions as well as developing an understanding of where food comes from (food provenance) and the challenges surrounding food security. You’ll master culinary skills and appreciate the science behind food and cooking. This is an exciting and creative course which will allow you to demonstrate your practical skills and make connections between theory and practice. A planned series of activities, outlined on the next page, will take you through the required techniques and understandings to allow you to be fully prepared for the non examined assessment (NEA) activities which count for 50% of the final mark.

NEA Task 1: You will carry out an investigation into the scientific principles that underpin the preparation and cooking of food. This task will provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and practically apply your
understanding of the science behind cooking. You’ll practically investigate ingredients and explain how they work and why.

NEA Task 2: You will plan, prepare, cook and present a 3 course menu. This task will provide you with an opportunity to cook up a storm and showcase your creativity and cooking skills. You might make a street food menu, create delicious tapas dishes or cook up a menu for a student on a budget.

  • Written Exam 50%. – There will be one exam for this qualification, which will assess your knowledge of the theory behind food preparation and nutrition. The exam will be 1 hour 45 minutes long. (50%)
  • NEA (Non-Exam Assessment) 50% – The second part of the assessment will be non-examination assessment (NEA) and will consist of two tasks, involving practical work. (50%) (Contextual challenges to be released annually by AQA on September 1st in the year prior to the submission of the NEA).

Product Design

In Year 10 students undertake a variety of Design and Make assignments. The purpose of this is to equip students with a greater understanding of the Design Process and to expand on their subject knowledge as well as to further develop essential Designing and Making skills. Students will also receive dedicated lessons that will prepare them for exams and develop their technical knowledge. This will include the application of mathematical and scientific principles.

In Year 11, students are expected to engage in a single design and make activity selected from a choice of Contextual Challenges, released in the June of Y10, consisting of the development of a made outcome and a concise design folder. This coursework (NEA) task is to take approximately 30-35 hours of lesson time. It will consist of a concise design folder (20 pages of A3 paper), which explains the area they have decided to look into and then design a final design solution. This work will need to be supported by a work plan detailed enough for someone else to follow the development and making of the product.  It will also show details of product testing, modifications and a final evaluation which includes details of how it could be commercially manufactured.

Students are expected to use a variety of information and communication technology wherever it is possible to do so and to address the moral, social, cultural and environmental issues arising from their work. As part of the evidence submitted, students should include photographs of the finished products as well as photographs at various stages of the process. This is used as evidence of skills used and processes undertaken under teacher supervision in the classroom.

Textiles

In year 10 students undertake two design and make projects to develop their skills and to help them undertake the NEA in year 11. Students will also undertake a variety of Design and Make assignments. The purpose of this is to equip students with a greater understanding of the the Design Process and to expand on their subject knowledge.

Students will also receive dedicated lessons that will prepare them for exams and develop their technical knowledge. This will include the application of mathematical and scientific principles.

In year 11, students are expected to engage in a single design and make activity selected from a choice of Contextual Challenges, released in June of Y10, consisting of the development of a made outcome and a concise design folder. This coursework (NEA) task is to take approximately 30-35 hours of lesson time. It will consist of a concise design folder, which explains the area they have decided to look into and the design and development process leading to a final design solution. It will also show details of product testing, modifications and a final evaluation which includes details of how it could be commercially manufactured.

Students are expected to use a variety of information and communication technology wherever it is possible to do so and to address the moral, social, cultural and environmental issues arising from their work.

As part of the evidence submitted, students should include photographs of the finished products as well as photographs at various stages of the process. This is used as evidence of skills used and processes undertaken.

Fashion and Textiles

Fashion & Textiles allows students to pursue your own creative design ideas within a series of structured projects. Students will develop their own design briefs and make a range of different samples, prototypes and final products, researching consumer preferences and fashion marketing as well as analysing existing products. Students will be encouraged to specialise in the area of fashion and textiles they are most interested in. Students will also develop an understanding of fashion history and the influence of this on modern products.

Key Stage 3

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 gain a broad experience of Design Technology, covering the requirements of the National Curriculum through a range of carefully planned and progressive design and make projects. This allows them to make an informed decision as to what option they may wish to take at Key Stage 4.

Key Stage 4

Food Preparation and Nutrition

The Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE will help you to develop a greater understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. You’ll also learn about food from around the world, through the study of British and international culinary traditions as well as developing an understanding of where food comes from (food provenance) and the challenges surrounding food security. You’ll master culinary skills and appreciate the science behind food and cooking. This is an exciting and creative course which will allow you to demonstrate your practical skills and make connections between theory and practice. A planned series of activities, outlined on the next page, will take you through the required techniques and understandings to allow you to be fully prepared for the non examined assessment (NEA) activities which count for 50% of the final mark.

NEA Task 1: You will carry out an investigation into the scientific principles that underpin the preparation and cooking of food. This task will provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and practically apply your
understanding of the science behind cooking. You’ll practically investigate ingredients and explain how they work and why.

NEA Task 2: You will plan, prepare, cook and present a 3 course menu. This task will provide you with an opportunity to cook up a storm and showcase your creativity and cooking skills. You might make a street food menu, create delicious tapas dishes or cook up a menu for a student on a budget.

  • Written Exam 50%. – There will be one exam for this qualification, which will assess your knowledge of the theory behind food preparation and nutrition. The exam will be 1 hour 45 minutes long. (50%)
  • NEA (Non-Exam Assessment) 50% – The second part of the assessment will be non-examination assessment (NEA) and will consist of two tasks, involving practical work. (50%) (Contextual challenges to be released annually by AQA on September 1st in the year prior to the submission of the NEA).

Product Design

In Year 10 students undertake a variety of Design and Make assignments. The purpose of this is to equip students with a greater understanding of the Design Process and to expand on their subject knowledge as well as to further develop essential Designing and Making skills. Students will also receive dedicated lessons that will prepare them for exams and develop their technical knowledge. This will include the application of mathematical and scientific principles.

In Year 11, students are expected to engage in a single design and make activity selected from a choice of Contextual Challenges, released in the June of Y10, consisting of the development of a made outcome and a concise design folder. This coursework (NEA) task is to take approximately 30-35 hours of lesson time. It will consist of a concise design folder (20 pages of A3 paper), which explains the area they have decided to look into and then design a final design solution. This work will need to be supported by a work plan detailed enough for someone else to follow the development and making of the product.  It will also show details of product testing, modifications and a final evaluation which includes details of how it could be commercially manufactured.

Students are expected to use a variety of information and communication technology wherever it is possible to do so and to address the moral, social, cultural and environmental issues arising from their work. As part of the evidence submitted, students should include photographs of the finished products as well as photographs at various stages of the process. This is used as evidence of skills used and processes undertaken under teacher supervision in the classroom.

Textiles

In year 10 students undertake two design and make projects to develop their skills and to help them undertake the NEA in year 11. Students will also undertake a variety of Design and Make assignments. The purpose of this is to equip students with a greater understanding of the the Design Process and to expand on their subject knowledge.

Students will also receive dedicated lessons that will prepare them for exams and develop their technical knowledge. This will include the application of mathematical and scientific principles.

In year 11, students are expected to engage in a single design and make activity selected from a choice of Contextual Challenges, released in June of Y10, consisting of the development of a made outcome and a concise design folder. This coursework (NEA) task is to take approximately 30-35 hours of lesson time. It will consist of a concise design folder, which explains the area they have decided to look into and the design and development process leading to a final design solution. It will also show details of product testing, modifications and a final evaluation which includes details of how it could be commercially manufactured.

Students are expected to use a variety of information and communication technology wherever it is possible to do so and to address the moral, social, cultural and environmental issues arising from their work.

As part of the evidence submitted, students should include photographs of the finished products as well as photographs at various stages of the process. This is used as evidence of skills used and processes undertaken.

Key Stage 5

Fashion and Textiles

Fashion & Textiles allows students to pursue your own creative design ideas within a series of structured projects. Students will develop their own design briefs and make a range of different samples, prototypes and final products, researching consumer preferences and fashion marketing as well as analysing existing products. Students will be encouraged to specialise in the area of fashion and textiles they are most interested in. Students will also develop an understanding of fashion history and the influence of this on modern products.

Additional Information

Thanks to the excellent facilities at Highgate Wood School, in Design Technology students are able to:

  • Design and make quality products.
  • Learn how to use industry standard equipment, include CAD\CAM technology
  • Become problem solvers and collaborative workers
  • Understand the impact of design upon our environment, our economy and our lives