Design and Technology

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous, and practical subject encouraging students to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. At Teesdale School and Sixth Form, we encourage students to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. The students are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology, its uses and its effectiveness and are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers.

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. The students design and create products that consider function and purpose, and which are relevant to a range of sectors (for example, the home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry, and the wider environment).

When designing and making, the students are taught to:

Design:
• use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at individuals or groups.
• generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design.

Make:
• select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing accurately.
• select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles according to their functional properties, aesthetic qualities.

Evaluate:
• investigate and analyse a range of existing products.
• evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.
• understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.

Technical knowledge:
• apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures.
• understand and use mechanical systems in their products.
• understand and use electrical systems in their products.
• apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products.
Children learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising, and capable citizens. 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. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth, and well-being of the nation.

Curriculum information

Year group	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Year 7	Construction lines Grid method Colour, tone and texture Oblique – products rendering	CAD/CAM Timbers Papers and Boards	Packaging Product Analysis Design Specification
Year 8	Isometric Sketching Render and shading	Timbers Polymers Papers and boards CAD/CAM	Health & Safety Tools & Machinery Smart Materials
Year 9	3D Drawing techniques Investigation and researching Rendering Skills Prototyping Finishing techniques Evaluating and testing	Initial design ideas Prototyping Hand tools and machinery Marking out and manufacturing techniques CAD/CAM Evaluating and testing	Design brief Design Specification Exploding drawings Production plan Prototyping Evaluating and testing
Year 10 GCSE Design and Technology	Drawing conventions- communicating ideas Energy sources and the environment New and emerging technologies Comparing materials, processes and components with alternatives.	Design project management Drawing conventions- realising ideas and engineering drawings	Mechanisms, systems, and control Technical principles
Year 11 GCSE Design and Technology	NEA brief/coursework Impact of new and emerging technologies. Carbon footprint Fairtrade policies Sustainability Product legislation Renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Designers.	NEA brief/coursework Manufacturing processes. CAD/CAM In-depth revision of materials including heat treatments, manufacturing methods and sources. Ferrous and non-ferrous metals, Thermoforming and thermosetting polymers, Papers and boards, Smart materials, and natural and manufactured timber. Adhesives & fixings. Surface finishes and treatments. Energy sources.	Polymers - sources and surface finishes, strengths and weaknesses, stock forms. Smart materials - types and uses, aesthetic and functional qualities. Papers and boards – stock forms, textures and finishes, GSM & microns. Natural and manufactured timbers – aesthetic qualities, natural woods, manmade boards, sources & characteristics. Metals - Sources and stock forms, impact on the environment & sustainability factors. Scales of production.
Year 12 Product Design	Materials and their applications Performance characteristics of materials Enhancement of materials Forming, redistribution and addition processes The use of adhesives and fixings The use of finishes Modern industrial and commercial practice Digital design and manufacture Core practical skills and modelling in wood, metal, card and plastic	The requirements for product design and development Health and safety Protecting designs and intellectual property Design for manufacturing, maintenance, repair and disposal Feasibility studies Enterprise and marketing in the development of products Design communication Design methods and processes Core practical skills and modelling in wood, metal, card and plastic	Design theory How technology and cultural changes can impact on the work of designers Product life cycle Design processes Critical analysis and evaluation Selecting appropriate tools, equipment and processes Accuracy in design and manufacture Responsible design Design for manufacture and project management National and international standards in product design Core practical skills and modelling in wood, metal, card and plastic
Year 13 Product Design	Technical principles Identify, investigate & outline Design & make prototypes that are fit for purpose design possibilities	Technical principles Design & make prototypes that are fit for purpose Analyse & evaluate	Technical principles

During my time at Teesdale School, I’ve really enjoyed designing and making products. It allows us to be creative and develop a range of different skills and express our ideas freely.

Year 11 student

I really enjoy using Computer-Aided Design to design products. I think this is helping me to improve the quality of my ideas and developing my confidence in Technology.

Year 8 student