Design Technology – Product Design

Our purpose in Product Design is to initiate creative and critical thinking through practical investigation and experience. We aim to equip students with a firm understanding of the design journey; grounded in a contemporary social and cultural context, emphasising the importance of sustainability and emerging technological innovations. Students learn to use traditional skills in tandem with modern technologies to produce both relevant and thought-provoking solutions.

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous, and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems, within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. At The Heys School students will develop their knowledge and understanding of different materials, techniques, and equipment in Product Design. We have a strong spiral curriculum, with sequencing schemes of work that focus on recall, recap, and refine of knowledge and skills to build up students’ confidence and ability in all areas. Projects throughout Key Stage 3 will repeat and build on knowledge and skills to give a deeper understanding of the topic and give the students opportunities to develop their confidence within the subject.

At Key Stage 3 students are taught in mixed ability groups for 1 hour per week on a rotating carousel with Food Technology.

In each year group students will study a topic from each of the following aspects of product design: Textiles, Resistant Materials and Electronics.

At Key Stage 4 Students will have the opportunity to study Textiles as part of the Art GCSE design course. They will be taught in mixed ability groups for 3 hours per week.

GCSE Art and Design: TEXTILE DESIGN 8204

Regular marking, written and verbal feedback will be given to students to track their progress against the Assessment Objectives of the course, throughout each half term to highlight areas of strength and identify room for development. Feedback is directly linked to the relevant qualification criteria.

Throughout their time at The Heys School, students in Product Design are taught the following key skills:

To identify, investigate and outline design possibilities that address needs and wants.

To design and make prototypes that are fit for purpose.

To analyse and evaluate design decisions and outcomes, including prototypes made by themselves and others.

To demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of technical principles and designing and making principles.

To understand wider issues, including sustainability and environmental issues that link to the subject.

Long Term KS3 and 4 Scheme of Work

KS3

Year 7 Themes/Focus

Weaving

Bird feeder

Night light

Year 8 Themes/Focus

Felt Food Structures

Cam toys

Egg timer

Year 9 Themes/Focus

Trashion

Desk lamp

Dice

Year 10 Themes

Project 1: Surface texture and Pattern

Project 2: Cultures

Focus

During Term 1, students will complete project 1 for their portfolio (60% of their GCSE)

During Term 2 and 3, students will start their second project for their portfolio.

Year 11 Themes

Project 2: Cultures continued

ESA – Exam 40%

Focus

During Term 1 students will continue their portfolio work, completing their Cultures project by the end of the Autumn term.

January – The AQA exam paper will be released, and students will work on their preparatory work up until their exam (usually early in the summer term)

Technology – https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220826-why-plastic-doesnt-dry-in-the-dishwasher