Design and Technology
Design and Technology touches every aspect of modern life, and there is growing demand from industry for students who are both creative and technically literate. This multi-disciplinary subject bridges the gap between the arts and engineering through practical and theoretical components.
Our Design and Technology department is a safe, exciting and inspiring learning environment. Staff motivate and support students to become creative problem solvers, with an ability to connect ideas across the whole school curriculum and apply these to creative design solutions.
Our teachers are very experienced, well-informed and skilled, covering a wide range of specialism within the Design and Technology field. The Department is also well equipped with the latest technology such as laser cutters, 3D printers, and sublimation printers, as well as traditional wood working, silver smithing and textile facilities.
Key Stage 3
The Design and Technology curriculum at Key Stage 3 encourages creativity, innovation, risk taking, problem solving and team work in response to contextual and real-life problems, preparing young people for societies demands for 21st century living.
Projects are designed to introduce our students to a range of materials including wood, plastic, metal and textile materials, using the work of other designers and the world around them as inspiration. Students will gain an understanding of technological developments in materials and manufacturing, embedding the use of electronics, computer aided design and manufacture into their work.
In Year 7 students use their knowledge of design movements to design and manufacture a dark reactive mood light.
In Year 8 they will apply their understanding of issues surrounding the environment to design and manufacture a sustainable textile product.
Topics Covered
Year 7
- 20th Century Design Movements
- Drawing Techniques
- The Iterative Design Process
- Materials Theory
- Electronic Systems
- CAD/CAM
- Working with wood and plastic materials
Year 8
- The Environment and Sustainability
- The Iterative Design Process
- Smart and Technical Materials
- E Textiles
- CAD/CAM
- Print Techniques
- Working with textile materials
Timetable
Over a fortnightly timetable students receive:
- 2 hours of guided classroom learning
- 20 minutes of guided independent homework (Year 7)
- 30 minutes of guided independent homework (Year 8)
Enrichment and Extra-Curricular
Year 7 students are given the opportunity to enrich their learning and understanding of the work of other designers and design movements through a year group trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum and Design Museum in the Autumn term.
Design and Technology Club is an extra-curricular lunchtime club for students in Year 7 and 8, allowing them to explore a range of materials and manufacturing processes including pewter casting and jewellery making.
Textiles club is another popular lunchtime club offering students in Years 7, 8 and 9 the opportunity to develop a wide range of textile skills and techniques.
For those interested in electronics, a whole school electronics club is also available during lunchtimes where a range of electronic projects are explored.
To Watch
BBC Bitesize videos- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zfr9wmn
Maddie’s Do You Know? Cable Cars and Spinnaker Tower- https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000wpn5/maddies-do-you-know-series-5-2-cable-car-and-viewing-tower
Maddie’s Do You Know? - Robots and 3D Printing- https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000wpqb/maddies-do-you-know-series-5-3-farming-robots-and-3d-printer
Maddie’s Do You Know- Neon Signs and Revolving Doors-https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000jl8v/sign/maddies-do-you-know-series-4-14-neon-sign-and-revolving-door
Inside the Factory - Bicycles- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7zb8p8
Inside the Factory - Pencils- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7yw49s
Inside the Factory - Toilet rolls- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x818uaw
Super Factories (episodes 1-9) https://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x75xot
Dragons Den- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92
The Repair Rhop- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08l581p
To Visit
The V&A Museum- London
The Design Museum- London
The Science Museum- London
The Maidstone Museum
Ikea
Year 9 - Foundation Year
In the Design and Technology Foundation Year, students study a wide range of material areas. They begin their creative journey by exploring technical drawing skills followed by CD and CAM skills.
From term two, students undertake a range of material explorations where practical skills are developed and enhanced whilst instilling theoretical knowledge and understanding.
We expect the skills embedded through the Foundation Year will inform the work of students through the Design and Technology GCSE.
Topics Covered
Practical
- Design Strategies
- Perfume Bottle and packaging
- Mobile phone holder
- Resin pen
- Keyring
- Photo frame
- Cushion
Theory
- Drawing techniques
- Rendering techniques
- Designing techniques
- CAD/CAM
- Modelling
- Packaging
- Design movements
- Material exploration- Timbers, polymers, metals, papers & boards, textiles
Timetable
Over a fortnightly timetable, students receive:
- 4 hours of guided classroom learning
- 1 hour of guided home learning
Enrichment and Extra Curricular
To Read
Books
The Eco-Design Handbook - Alastair Faud–Luke
Design Museum: Contemporary Design - Catherine McDermott
Arts & Crafts Companion - Pamela Todd
50 Product Designs: Process - Jennifer Hudson
Designs of the Times - Lakshmi Bhaskaran
Bauhaus - Benedict Taschen
Making IT Manufacturing Techniques For Product Design - Chris Lefteri
Memphis - Bigitte Fitoussi
Drawing For Designers - Alan Pipes
Designed for Kids - Phyllis Richardson
The Design of Everyday Tthings- Don Norman
The Design Thinking Playbook- Michael Lwerick, Patrick Link, Larry Leifer
Websites
Houzz- A place to browse anything to do with houses from construction and design down to decorative items and furniture
Dexigner directory – a Comprehensive database of design firms, studios, museums, organizations and resources
New Designers- Discover the next generation of design talent
BBC Bite size- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zby2bdm
Publications
Dezeen
Wallpaper*
Azure
UX design
Creative Review
Design Week
Articles/Journals
Conficio Design Journals- https://conficio.design/journal/
The future of design- https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/research/future-design-series
Leading women in design- https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/leading-women-design
What do we mean by design- https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/news-opinion/what-do-we-mean-design
To Watch
BBC Bitesize videos- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zfr9wmn
Inside the factory- bicycles- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7zb8p8
Inside the factory- pencils-https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7yw49s
Inside the factory-toilet rolls- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x818uaw
Super factories (episodes 1-9) https://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x75xot
Dragons Den- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92
The repair shop-https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08l581p
Maddie’s do you know? Cable cars and spinnaker tower- https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000wpn5/maddies-do-you-know-series-5-2-cable-car-and-viewing-tower
Maddie’s do you know- robots and 3D printing- https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000wpqb/maddies-do-you-know-series-5-3-farming-robots-and-3d-printer
Maddie’s do you know- Neon signs and revolving doors-https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000jl8v/sign/maddies-do-you-know-series-4-14-neon-sign-and-revolving-door
To Listen
CLEVER podcasts- https://www.cleverpodcast.com/
Honest Designers podcasts- https://www.designcuts.com/learning-hub/podcasts/honest-designers/
Design better podcasts- https://www.designbetter.co/podcast
To Research
Research and develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the following specialist technical principles:
- selection of materials or components
- forces and stresses
- ecological and social footprint
- sources and origins
- using and working with materials
- stock forms, types and sizes
- scales of production
- specialist techniques and processes
- surface treatments and finishes.
The categories through which the principles can be researched are:
- papers and boards
- timber based materials
- metal based materials
- polymers
- textile based materials
- electronic and mechanical systems.
To Visit
The V&A Museum- London
The Design Museum- London
The Science Museum- London
The Maidstone Museum
Ikea
Key Stage 4
We believe in teaching students to challenge ideas of functionality, aesthetics, materials, sustainability, social contexts and ethics so they can design products that work and make a difference to society. Creative and innovative design is built on the fusion of visual, technical and emotional considerations. We teach these skills throughout the course, developing and nurturing them through practical problem-solving activities.
Students are encouraged to create products which solve problems, inspire change and look to make a difference in everyday life. The course enables students to think imaginatively about the possibilities of design. Not just what design is; but what it might be. They discover how design affects the environment as a whole, and investigate its role within society and culture.
Whether students want to design furniture, fashion or electronics – or invent the next generation of sustainable products the Design and Technology GCSE covers all these material areas.
Exam board/Qualification: AQA GCSE in Design and Technology
Specification: 8552
Course Content
The Design and Technology GCSE engages students in project based designing and practical tasks along with theoretical study.
In Year 10 students learn how to put together a project portfolio by learning researching, analytical and designing skills whilst using the iterative design process. These skills combine together to produce a mock Non-Examination Assessment (NEA). During this time students are able to specialise and focus on their chosen material(s) area and further develop their technical manufacturing skills.
In Year 11 students use the skills learnt from year 11 to work on their live NEA project based upon a context set by the examination board. This is the perfect opportunity for students to fully exhibit their investigative, designing and manufacturing skills.
Theory is taught throughout the two years and delivered in a variety of ways such as lecture style presentations, practical tasks, student research tasks and independent reading tasks. We cover areas such as commercial manufacturing, digital design and the use of computer is design, social, moral and ethical issues, the work of others and design communication to name a few.
Timetable
Over a fortnightly timetable, students receive:
- 5 hours of guided classroom learning
- 2 hours of guided independent homework
Assessment
Theory knowledge is assessed through external examination and accounts for 50% of the GCSE qualification. The Non-Examination Assessment component (NEA) makes up the remaining 50% and is marked internally with external moderation by AQA.
The NEA is an independent design and make project focusing on one of three contexts supplied by the exam board. A problem is identified by the students and explored further whilst responding to the chosen context. Students are free to work in any chosen material area the feel passionate about. Using an iterative design process, a final solution is developed from a design brief that has been written by the students as a result of their investigations.
At the end of the second year students then complete a two hour examination that focuses on core technical principles, specialist technical principles and designing and making principles
Enrichment and Extra Curricular
To Read
Books
The Eco-Design Handbook - Alastair Faud –Luke
Design Museum: Contemporary Design - Catherine McDermott
Arts & Crafts Companion - Pamela Todd
50 Product Designs: Process - Jennifer Hudson
Designs of the Times - Lakshmi Bhaskaran
Bauhaus - Benedict Taschen
Making IT Manufacturing Techniques For Product Design - Chris Lefteri
Memphis - Bigitte Fitoussi
Drawing For Designers - Alan Pipes
Designed for Kids - Phyllis Richardson
The design of everyday things- Don Norman
The design thinking playbook- Michael Lwerick, Patrick Link, Larry Leifer
Websites
Houzz- A place to browse anything to do with houses from construction and design down to decorative items and furniture
Dexigner directory – a Comprehensive database of design firms, studios, museums, organizations and resources
New Designers- Discover the next generation of design talent
BBC Bite size- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zby2bdm
Publications
Dezeen
Wallpaper*
Azure
UX design
Creative Review
Design Week
Articles/Journals
Conficio Design Journals- https://conficio.design/journal/
The future of design- https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/research/future-design-series
Leading women in design- https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/leading-women-design
What do we mean by design- https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/news-opinion/what-do-we-mean-design
To Watch
Dragons Den- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92
The repair shop- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08l581p
Building sights- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01q0kmk
How to build- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017lyld
Taste- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07hjb9y/episodes/player
100 years of Bauhaus- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a45UBCIbJc
Inside the factory- bicycles- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7zb8p8
Inside the factory- pencils- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7yw49s
Inside the factory-toilet rolls- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x818uaw
Super factories (episodes 1-9) https://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x75xot
To Listen
CLEVER podcasts- https://www.cleverpodcast.com/
Honest Designers podcasts- https://www.designcuts.com/learning-hub/podcasts/honest-designers/
Design better podcasts- https://www.designbetter.co/podcast
Dieter Rams- BrAun podcast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tgGpoy-56o
Zarah Hadid podcast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jFn07vg82k
Frank Lloyd Wright podcast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IusXFml7V54
Frank Gehry and Norman Foster- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgRBDBs-saM
Jonathon Ives (Apple) podcast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRmwc3lUxDI
World wise web (pioneering inventors)- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xttzz/episodes/player
The landfill designers- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b00k9hn9
3D bioprinting- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b05pn3t4
To Research
Investigate, analyse and evaluate the work of past and present designers and companies:
- Alldo Rossi
- Charles Rennie Macintosh
- Coco Chanel
- Ettore Sottsass
- Gerrit Reitveld
- Harry Beck
- Louis Comfort Tiffany
- Marcel Breuer
- Mary Quant
- Norman Foster
- Philippe Starck
- Raymond Templier
- Sir Alec Issigonis
- Vivienne Westwood
- Alexander McQueen
- William Morris
- Alessi
- Apple
- Braun
- Dyson
- Gap
- Primark
- Under Armour
- Zara
Research and develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the following specialist technical principles:
- selection of materials or components
- forces and stresses
- ecological and social footprint
- sources and origins
- using and working with materials
- stock forms, types and sizes
- scales of production
- specialist techniques and processes
- surface treatments and finishes
The categories through which the principles can be researched are:
- papers and boards
- timber based materials
- metal based materials
- polymers
- textile based materials
- electronic and mechanical systems
To Visit
The V&A Museum- London
The Design Museum- London
The Science Museum- London
The Maidstone Museum
Ikea
Key Stage 5
Have you ever looked at the things around you and thought 'this could have been made so much better'? The Product Design course develops an empathetic, intuitive understanding of people and how we use and respond to products. Whether one has thought about it or not, design is a part of everyday life. From the moment of waking up and preparing for the day ahead, products are continually used: from the item which sounds a waking alarm or helps one to style their look, to the furniture used to sit and eat breakfast. The products used to make life easier, more comfortable and safer have been designed by engineers, architects, product/industrial designers and furniture designers. The Product Design A Level course provides design students the opportunity to develop their skills in preparation for joining this creative industry, exploring innovative design solutions for a variety of design contexts.
This creative and thought-provoking qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers. The department is very successful with students consistently achieving top grades and going on to study in areas such as engineering, architecture and product design at higher education.
Exam board/Qualification: AQA A Level Product Design
Specification: 7552
Course Content
Product Design requires students to engage and participate in both practical and theoretical study.
During the course of study, students will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences in design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning in to practice by producing products of their choice. Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers.
One of the main focuses of the course is the students Non-Examination Assessment (NEA). Students write their own design contexts during their NEA, designing and making a product to solve a design problem, while linking their outcome to a topic of personal interest. We prepare for the coursework during the first year of A Level by completing a mock project in order to develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Theory is taught weekly throughout the two years and delivered in a variety of ways such as lecture style presentations, practical tasks, student research tasks and independent reading tasks. We cover areas such as the characteristics and enhancements of materials, digital design and development, technology and cultural changes, marketing and enterprise, the work of others, feasibility studies and design communication to name a few.
Timetable
Over a fortnightly timetable, students receive:
- 8 hours of guided classroom learning
- 10 hours of home learning
Assessment
Theory knowledge is assessed through external examination and accounts for 50% of the A Level qualification. The Non-Examination Assessment component (NEA) makes up the remaining 50% and is marked internally with external moderation by AQA.
The NEA is devised by the students, focusing on a problem that they have identified within product design which they will investigate in a very creative way. Using an iterative design process, a final solution will be developed from a design brief they will have written as a result of their investigations.
The examinations are split across two papers in the summer of Year 13 following the completion on the NEA. The first paper focuses on technical principles and the second paper focuses on designing and making principles.
Enrichment and Extra Curricular
Students are given the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of enrichment and extra curricular activities. Frequent research study trips, including trips to the Victoria and Albert Museum and the design museum in London help to inform decision making and embed the theory learnt about designers and design history. In the past we have also taken students to design exhibitions that link in with their current area of focus.
Students are encouraged to participate in virtual workshops that are run by museums such as the V&A in order to further deepen their knowledge and to gain mastery within the subject.
The Arkwright Engineering Scholarship is available for the top students to apply. An Arkwright Engineering Scholarship is the most esteemed scholarship of its type in the UK, designed to inspire students to pursue their dreams and change the world as a future leader in engineering. The Scholarships are awarded to hard-working 16 year old students through a rigorous selection process, supporting them through their A Levels every Scholarship is sponsored by a commercial company, trade association, university or professional institution. This means that support is offered in various different ways, for example, valuable hands-on work experience, support for your curriculum project and a personal mentor who can help you with aspects of your studies and career planning.
To Read
Books
Cool Hunting - Green Dave Evans
The Eco-Design Handbook - Alastair Faud –Luke
Design Museum: Contemporary Design - Catherine McDermott
Arts & Crafts Companion - Pamela Todd
50 Product Designs: Process - Jennifer Hudson
Designs of the Times - Lakshmi Bhaskaran
Bauhaus - Benedict Taschen
Making IT Manufacturing Techniques For Product Design - Chris Lefteri
Memphis - Bigitte Fitoussi
The Measure of Man and Women: Human Factors in Design - Alvin R. Tilley & Henry Dreyfuss Associates
Drawing For Designers - Alan Pipes
Designed for Kids - Phyllis Richardson
German Design: The classics - Bernd Polster
Italian Design – Daab
The Design of Everyday Things- Don Norman
How Innovation Works- Matt Ridley
The Design Thinking Playbook- Michael Lwerick, Patrick Link, Larry Leifer
Websites
Houzz- A place to browse anything to do with houses from construction and design down to decorative items and furniture
Dexigner directory – a Comprehensive database of design firms, studios, museums, organizations and resources
New Designers- Discover the next generation of design talent
BBC Bite size-https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zby2bdm
Publications
Dezeen
Wallpaper*
eVolo
Architect Magazine
Metropolis
dwell
Azure
UX design
Creative Review Design Week
Articles/Journals
Conficio Design Journals- https://conficio.design/journal/
The future of design- https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/research/future-design-series
Leading women in design- https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/leading-women-design
What do we mean by design- https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/news-opinion/what-do-we-mean-design
To Watch
Architecture at the crossroads- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01qcrds
Building sights- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01q0kmk
Classic British Cars: Made in Coventry- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000w6sp
How to build- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017lyld
Taste- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07hjb9y/episodes/player
100 years of Bauhaus- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a45UBCIbJc
Inside the factory- bicycles- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7zb8p8
Inside the factory- pencils- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7yw49s
Inside the factory-toilet rolls- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x818uaw
Super factories (episodes 1-9) https://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x75xot
Dragons Den- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92
The repair shop- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08l581p
To Listen
CLEVER podcasts- https://www.cleverpodcast.com/
Honest Designers podcasts- https://www.designcuts.com/learning-hub/podcasts/honest-designers/
Design better podcasts- https://www.designbetter.co/podcast
Dieter Rams- BrAun podcast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tgGpoy-56o
Zarah Hadid podcast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jFn07vg82k
Frank Lloyd Wright podcast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IusXFml7V54
Frank Gehry and Norman Foster- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgRBDBs-saM
Jonathon Ives (Apple) podcast- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRmwc3lUxDI
World wise web (pioneering inventors)- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xttzz/episodes/player
The landfill designers- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b00k9hn9
3D bioprinting- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b05pn3t4
To Research
Students should be aware of, and able to discuss, how key historical design styles, design movements and influential designers that have helped to shape product design and manufacture. Investigate, analyse and evaluate the work of past and present designers and companies:
- Phillipe Starck
- James Dyson
- Margaret Calvert
- Dieter Rams
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Marianne Brandt
Students should be aware of, and be able to explain, the development of products that are inclusive in their design so that they can be used by a wide range of users. It is useful to research products that have been designed for people with specific needs.
To Visit
The V&A Museum- London
The Design Museum- London
The Maidstone Museum
Ikea
Careers
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