Design and technology at Castledown

 Design and technology prepares students to participate in tomorrow's rapidly changing technologies.  It is multi-disciplinary, drawing from a wide range of knowledge, skills and experience. They learn to think and intervene creatively to improve quality of life.  The subject calls for students to become autonomous and creative problem solvers, as individuals and members of a team. They must look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and effects. Through design and technology, all students can become discriminating and informed users of products, and become innovators. 

KS3  

At Castledown School students study Design & Technology a thematic manner with them using all materials in a fully integrated approach to this subject. 

Y7 

 In year 7 Design and Technology students are introduced to the area and its facilities. They are also introduced to the integrated method of delivery employed at Castledown. The course builds on KS2 work and concentrates on design and making for themselves. Planning and evaluating are important parts of the course as is the ability to communicate ideas.  Students are encouraged to produce high quality products through a thorough understanding of materials and how to work with them. 

Y8 

In year 8 Design & Technology students consider the design and use of tools, focusing on the ergonomics of the hand.  They consider the technology of the past, especially that of the Victorian Age. Students begin to develop the skill of designing for a client. The use batch production is also an important theme.  Students consider hygiene and safety, multi - cultural diets and vegetarianism and extended their knowledge and understanding of the food industry.  

 Y9 

In Year 9 students broaden their understanding of technology and design. They consider modern developments in technology and their possible effects on the future.  They consider what the nature of good design, innovation and designing for the future.  A major theme throughout the year is design and production for the consumer market. Students also consider smart materials, trends in technology and modern design. They involved in an enterprise project to produce a healthy snack and its packaging.   

KS4 Y10 & Y11 

The area runs two KS4 Design and Technology courses both examined by Edexcel. You must decide which material area you wish to specialise. You have a choice of:     

Food Technology (1970)    

Resistant Material Technology (1973)  

From your chosen area you will be involved in the study of: 

Materials and components 

Production processesIndustrial processes             

Social, moral, ethical and environmental issues of product design 

Product analysis 

Designing and making processes 

You will then apply this knowledge and understanding when designing and making a 3D product and an A3 portfolio of design work.  This course is both creative and technical and is relevant to the consumer society students live in encouraging them to be discerning consumers.

This course enables students to design and make products and places an emphasis on practical work The course also develops a full range of skills that will be useful in other subjects and in employment. 

There will be a 90minute exam at the end of your course worth 40% of the total marks.The exam will be made up of 4 questions each worth 10%:  A design question which gives you a design brief and asks you to develop some ideas for solutions to this brief and then evaluate them.

 A product analysis question which gives you information about a product made from materials from your chosen area and asks you to analyse the product by saying, for example, which materials it is made from, how it is manufactured and why it was designed in such a way.

 A question which tests the knowledge and understanding of materials and components, their properties and production processes which are set out in the specification.

 A question which tests the knowledge and understanding of Industrial processes and also the social, moral, ethical and environmental issues of product design. 

The coursework is the major part of the Design and Technology course. It accounts for 60% of the total marks.You will be given guidance on the project topic by your teacher. 

You will be expected to produce a 3D product in your chosen material area with an accompanying desk top published A3 design folder of around 15-20 pages.The coursework project is expected to be produced within 40 hours..