Design Technology
Design and Technology nurtures practical creativity, preparing students to navigate and contribute positively to the designed and made world.
At Crispin, we empower students to approach design challenges with creativity and innovation, considering various factors such as materials, the environment, function, and their own and others' needs, wants, and values.
In Design and Technology, students acquire a broad range of subject knowledge, drawing on disciplines such as Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Computing and Art. They learn to take risks, problem-solve, and become resourceful, innovative, enterprising, and capable individuals.
We aim to ensure students gain an inspiring and modern view of technology, often developing projects relevant to today's world. As a department, we are committed to allowing students to experience both the fantastic technology available today and the classic skills that form the foundation of our subject.
In the Innovation Hub, we are privileged to provide our students with outstanding learning resources, including specialised facilities for Engineering, Product Design, Food and Graphics, along with three Computer/CAD suites. These are complemented by a range of specialist CNC equipment, including lathes, laser cutters, routers, and 3D printers, as well as an extensive range of traditional tools and machinery. Our department extensively utilises design software to support our learning environment, including Photoshop, Onshape, Sketchup and 2D design.
journey product design engineering 2023.pdf
Key Stage 3
In Years 7, 8 and 9 our students follow a rotation to allow them to experience five different areas of Design and Technology: Food, Textiles, Graphics, Engineering and Product Design. As students progress through the Key Stage, the projects build upon their prior learning and become more holistic in their structure. For example, Engineering starts with an introduction to materials with a focus on polymers and CAM processes in Year 7 before progressing to more complex electronic components and processes in Year 9.
| Projects | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Year 7 | Graphics | Engineering | Textiles | Food | Product Design |
| Year 8 | Graphics | Engineering | Architecture | Food | Product Design |
| Year 9 | Graphics | Engineering | Textiles | Food | Product Design |
GCSE
At KS4 we offer four courses:
- Graphics (Art and Design) GCSE
- Design and Technology (Product Design) GCSE
- Food Preparation & Nutrition GCSE
- Engineering Technical Award
In year 10 we cover the core content and specialist subject knowledge for all subjects through a number of projects and varied tasks. In Year 11, students complete the NEA/controlled assessment tasks that accounts for a significant percentage of the grade - 50% in Food Preparation & Nutrition and Design and Technology GCSE’s and 60% of the Engineering Technical Award.
A growing numbers of students are opting for Design and Technology courses for a number of reasons, including the mix of practical and theory based learning and the range of progression and career routes post 16, including engineering, catering, carpentry, architecture, product design, plumbing, textiles/ fashion design, and more.
| Level 1/2 Engineering Technical Award |
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Unit 1: Manufacturing Engineering Products Non Examined Assessment 40% of the qualification |
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In this unit, students learn to interpret different types of engineering information in order to plan how to make engineered products. They develop the skills needed to work safely with a range of engineering processes, equipment and tools.
For the assessment students are set a ‘live’ Manufacturing Brief and have to produce a portfolio of work including:
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Unit 2: Designing Engineering Products Non Examined Assessment 20% of the qualification |
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In this unit, students learn about that design process, how to analyse products. They will learn how to take ideas from different products in order to produce a design specification for a product.
For the assessment students are set a ‘live’ Design Brief, where they will be asked to develop an improvement to the product they made in Unit 1. They will have to produce a portfolio of work including:
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Unit 3: Solving Engineering problems Written Examination: 40% of the qualification |
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In this unit, students learn about how engineers in the past have found solutions to problems and use their ideas to solve problems today. They learn about materials, processes and maths that engineers use and how they are used to solve problems and the drawing skills used to communicate solutions.
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| Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE |
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Paper 1: Food Preparation and Nutrition Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes, 50% of GCSE |
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Questions
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Non- Exam Assessment (NEA) Written or electronic report/ Portfolio including photographic evidence |
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What's assessed Task 1: Food investigation (30 marks) Students' understanding of the working characteristics, functional and chemical properties of ingredients.
Assessment evidence: Written or electronic report (1,500–2,000 words) including photographic evidence of the practical investigation.
Task 2: Food preparation assessment (70 marks) Students' knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to the planning, preparation, cooking, presentation of food and application of nutrition related to the chosen task. Students will prepare, cook and present a final menu of three dishes within a single period of no more than three hours, planning in advance how this will be achieved.
Assessment evidence: Written or electronic portfolio including photographic evidence. Photographic evidence of the three final dishes must be included. |
| GCSE Design and Technology (Product Design) – OCR |
| Component 1: Iterative Design Challenge Non-Examined Assessment (NEA): 50% of the qualification |
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In this unit, students learn to approach design using an iterative process where they investigate, design, develop, and refine solutions to real-world problems. This involves identifying user needs, generating creative ideas, and producing functional prototypes. For their assessment, students will work through a design challenge, producing a portfolio that includes:
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Component 2: Principles of Design and Technology |
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In this unit, students explore the theoretical knowledge behind product design. They learn about a wide range of materials, manufacturing processes, and design methods used in various industries. Topics include:
For assessment, students sit a 2-hour written exam that covers the core principles of design, technological innovation, materials, processes, and problem-solving in design. The exam consists of multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended-response questions based on case studies and design scenarios. |
Last Updated: December 2024
