Key Stage 3
To develop students' skills in effectively communicating their design ideas. This will help students understand how to present their concepts clearly. One key objective is to encourage students to generate multiple design ideas and explore a range of possibilities. This approach helps students avoid "design fixation," where they become overly attached to a single idea or solution, limiting creativity and innovation.
Workshop expectations for behaviour, participation, and work quality will be established. This ensures a productive, respectful, and focused learning environment. The workshop will also introduce students to timber as a material, providing hands-on experience with it. This will familiarise them with its properties, handling, and potential uses in design projects. Since students will be working in this environment for the first time, the workshop is designed to set a solid foundation for their future in Design & Technology. The concepts covered will lay the groundwork for their learning, helping them develop a strong understanding of both practical and theoretical aspects of design.
Project:
Nightstand
Assessment:
Project coursework, final outcome and application check
Students will be introduced to more advanced 3D drawing techniques, learning how to accurately represent ideas in three dimensions. They will also develop the skill of annotating their drawings to explain features, dimensions, and construction details, enhancing their ability to communicate design concepts effectively. Students will gain hands-on experience in modelling their designs, learning how to turn 2D sketches into 3D models.
A key focus of this phase is the introduction of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM). Students will explore how digital tools can be used to design and manufacture products with precision, bridging the gap between concept and creation. Students will build on their previous experience with woodworking, further developing their and machine tools for cutting, shaping, and finishing wood to meet the requirements of their designs.
Project:
Bug hotel
Assessment:
Project coursework, final outcome and application check
Students will be introduced to some of the most influential designers and design movements throughout history. By studying the work of renowned figures and movements (such as the Bauhaus, Art Deco, or industrial design), students will gain insights into how design has evolved and how various styles and philosophies have shaped the world of design today. Effective communication remains a core component of the design process. tudents will refine their ability to communicate design ideas clearly, this will be essential as they begin to develop more complex projects in preparation for their GCSE coursework.
Students will deepen their knowledge of a broader range of materials, including timber, plastics, and digital tools like CAD/CAM. They will develop more advanced techniques for working with these materials, learning how to select appropriate materials for their projects, and mastering tools and equipment for cutting, shaping, and joining. This will enable students to build more complex, precise, and innovative designs.
Project:
Clock
Assessment:
Project coursework, final outcome and application check