The design and technology curriculum builds upon the key stage 2 curriculum and has the design process at its heart. Students will follow the design process to realise a final outcome(s). Each academic year will have an overarching theme that is not only flexible enough to allow students to have a choice as to what final product to make but also gives a purpose. Students will learn core knowledge both theoretical and practical for each project and be encouraged to exploit those skills learnt in order to push the limits of their own creativity. This will result in a range of product outcomes as each student as an individual explores materials, techniques and processes but also their needs and wants and also the needs and wants of the consumer/client. The knowledge taught over the key stage will increase in difficulty, allowing progression through revisiting and developing that knowledge from one topic/year to the next and encouraging more independence as the students own knowledge and confidence increases.
Year 7
Autumn Term
Introduction to the Dudley Zoo and Castle project.
Students will consider what is design & technology?
They will be introduced to the Dudley Zoo and Castle theme and what tasks they will be completing this year. Tasks for this term are designing and making a wooden and a textile gift for the gift shop at Dudley Zoo. This will involve research, and designing products that will meet the needs of the brief.
Spring Term
Continuation of the Dudley Zoo and Castle project.
Students will start to make their final design ideas by using skills such as hand sewing, machine sewing, computer aided design – 2D Design V3, computer aided manufacture – laser cutter. Once made students will be able to evaluate the success of their products.
Towards the end of the term students will be introduced to the food element of the theme.
Summer Term
Continuation of the Dudley Zoo and Castle project.
Students will prepare and cook a range of dishes that allows them to cover a range of cooking skills and explore a range of food flavours. Each dish will be suitable to either eat in the restaurant at Dudley Zoo or be eaten as part of a picnic whilst at Dudley Zoo. Towards the end of the year students will work together as a team to build a model animal viewing platform. The task will focus on the topic of structures.
Year 8
Autumn Term
As design and technology is newly introduced into the curriculum this year students in year 8 will be following the same curriculum as year 7, Dudley Zoo and Castle. Introduction of new themes into each year group is a rolling program and the theme for year 8 in the future will be ‘It’s all about time!’
Students will consider what is design & technology?They will be introduced to the Dudley Zoo and Castle theme and what tasks they will be completing this year. Tasks for this term are designing and making a wooden and a textile gift for the gift shop at Dudley Zoo. This will involve research, and designing products that will meet the needs of the brief.
Spring Term
Continuation of the Dudley Zoo and Castle project.
Students will start to make their final design ideas by using skills such as hand sewing, machine sewing, computer aided design – 2D Design V3, computer aided manufacture – laser cutter. Once made students will be able to evaluate the success of their products.Towards the end of the term students will be introduced to the food element of the theme.
Summer Term
Continuation of the Dudley Zoo and Castle project.
Students will prepare and cook a range of dishes that allows them to cover a range of cooking skills and explore a range of food flavours. Each dish will be suitable to either eat in the restaurant at Dudley Zoo or be eaten as part of a picnic whilst at Dudley Zoo. Towards the end of the year students will work together as a team to build a model animal viewing platform. The task will focus on the topic of structures.
Year 9
Autumn Term
Savoury Selection
Students produce a range of savoury dishes which build upon the dishes and skills learnt in yr7 & 8. Students also investigate special diets and design a menu to suit a special diet of their choice. Students then go onto produce one of the dishes from their menu.
Spring Term
Feel the pressure
Students have now studied food for two and a half years so the focus is on them making dishes which encompass more stages and techniques. They will also be expected to be more independent in lessons.
Summer Term
Your choice
Students will be able to choose to cook a savoury and sweet dish of their choice which culminates in them also making one of their favourite dishes, brownies!
Assessment at Key stage 3
KS3 students are assessed each lesson on specific food skills which are communicated within the learning outcomes. The skills relate to the dish they are making that lesson.
How can parents help support their child’s learning?
Your daughter should be encouraged to take part in any food preparation and cooking that occurs in the home. This will help her to become a more confident and independent cook which will in turn help her in lessons and support her progression through the key stage.
Enrichment opportunities
