At Wallingford we feel it is important that young people get the opportunity to create products and explore new materials in a safe and empowering environment. Across the four subject areas within Design Technology, we aim to encourage our pupils to be creative thinkers and challenge them to design innovative products for real life problems. This is done by exposing them to relevant design briefs that are then analysed and developed individually and in group activities.
We teach a wide range of theory content through KS3 into KS4 and A level. This provides pupils with knowledge about what materials products are made from and how they are manufactured in industry. We teach them about the impact products have to the quality of users lives, the further impact on the global market and the environment. They are asked to explore new technologies and consider greener solutions and to test how these can be applied to the product they design in lessons.
Alongside this they are provided with practical skills that they can not only use to solve design issues in lessons but are skills they can use for life in the wider world. They acquire knowledge of materials, ingredients, consider users’ needs and sustainability so they have the confidence to work independently and responsibly. In this, the Design and Technology department fulfil the school’s ethos of enabling pupils to become both able and qualified and in turn thrive in our modern world.
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KS3 Design Technology
At Key Stage 3, Design Technology is taught in a "carousel" style, with students covering a range of disciplines at different times over the year.
Year 7
Fashion and Textiles
Transfer Printing Project: health and safety; using small pieces of equipment; using the sewing machine safely; introduction to the design brief; analysis of the task and research into the work of Modern Artists; initial design/pattern ideas; introduction and demonstration of transfer printing; apply transfer print onto fabric; construction of a fabric roll design to hold pencils, pens and stationery.
3D Design / Resistant Materials
Key Fobs: health and safety rules in the workshops; product analysis of existing key fob designs; design 4 different ideas; annotation skills; modelling skills - final design; introduction to first making process - gluing the acrylic pieces together; making changes to improved design work; demonstration into cutting and shaping (coping saw and files); cutting and shaping acrylic to final design shapel demonstration on how to use polishing wheel and pillar drill safely; shaping and refining/polishing; Dr Stika and finishing key fobs.
Graphic Products
Creative Carrier (card): task analysis; zigzag/curve model; research/initial ideas; final design; plan of make; test model; final model.
Food Preparation and Nutrition
- Fruit Salad: knife skills - bridge and claw
- Cheesy Scones: understand how to use the rubbing in method to create texture
- Pizza Toast: learn how to use the grill
- Carrot and Coriander Soup: using electrical equipment (blender) safely
- Chicken Nuggets: cooking chicken safely; learn to enrobe.
Year 8
Fashion and Textiles
Sweet Shop Project: introduction to the design brief; analysis of the task; initial design ideas; developed design ideas; re-cap on using the sewing machine and applying Applique; applying Applique to hem the two back pieces of a cushion; understanding how to apply a fastening; planning and applying Applique to the front of the cushion; construction of the cushion.
3D Design / Resistant Materials
Mood Lights: health and safety in the workshops; product analysis of existing mood light designs; introduction to materials (e.g. pine and laminated paper); design 4 different ideas; annotation skills; modelling skills - final design; demonstration of craft knife skills; finish model and annotate what went well and what needs to be improved/developed; making changes to improve design work; demonstration into sanding light base and gluing components; painting and varnishing light base; light shade final design - making the changes from the 1:2 scale model; demonstration/re-cap of how to use the pillar drill safely; laminating finished product; gluing shade to base.
Graphic Products
Balancing Book (card): task analysis; geometric models; net worksheets; research/2D and 3D ideas; plan of make; 3D and 2D parts modelled.
Food Preparation and Nutrition
- Eatwell Guide: theory of healthy eating
- Layered Pasta Salad: presentation and knife skills; healthy eating
- Marble Pear Tray Bake: cake making, baking
- Spaghetti Bolognese: - cooking meat safely, simmering
- Macaroni Cheese: roux sauce making and pasta cooking
- Lasagne: layered dish
- Jambalaya: multicultural dish
Year 9
Fashion and Textiles
Day of the Dead Project: introduction to the design brief; analysis of the task; initial design ideas; apply a resist method of dyeing (Tie & Dye) to fabric; developed design ideas; re-cap on how to use the sewing machine and apply a printing technique (Stencilling) to fabric; planning and applying decoration to my fabric; construction of a bag.
3D Design / Resistant Materials
Clocks: health and safety rules in the workshop; product analysis of existing clock designs; introduction to materials, e.g. MDF, acrylic and plywood; design 4-6 different ideas; annotation skills; modelling skills - final design; finish model and annotate what went well and what needs to be improved/developed; making changes to improve design; creating templates for all components; tool demonstration; cutting, shaping, polishing acrylic; applying paint/varnishes to timber; assembling components.
Graphic Products
Humorous Holder (styrofoam): task analysis; model sphere test; research/initial ideas; final design; ortho and marking out; shaping models; painting models.
Food Preparation and Nutrition
- Gelatinisation, Breadmaking, Food hygiene and safety
- Sausage Rolls: Making rough puff pastry
- Chelsea Buns: Bread making
- Creating a Pizza: as per Eatwell Guide - breadmaking, shaping, kneading
- Effect of different sugars in fruity cookies
- Swiss Roll: whisking methods of cake making, rolling and decorating
- Profiteroles: choux pastry making, piping, melting chocolate using a bain-marie.
- Soup and Bread rolls: Blending, boiling and bread shaping
- Maids of Honour: Cake making and shortcrust pastry
GCSE Art & Design: Textiles
Year 10
Term 1
Decorative and embellishment techniques; presentation skills and annotation; using the sewing machine; reverse Applique; stencilling / printing; embroidery.
Term 2
Garment construction skills; using a pattern; making a corset; fabric manipulation.
Terms 3 & 4
Exam preparation - design and make a piece of wearable art.
Terms 5 & 6
Extended Project - chosen from a range of briefs.
Year 11
Term 1
Completion of Inspired by Nature: Wearable Art Project
Term 2
Extended Project: Introduction to project titles and development of ideas.
Terms 3 & 4
Product development; modelling / pattern making; refining shape of product; developing design ideas; developing decoration.
Term 5
Artist Workshop, final submission and exhibition.
GCSE DT: Resistant Materials
Year 10
Term 1
Exploring context and factors affecting the design process; usability; exploring existing designs; new and emerging technologies; sources of energy; wider influences on design & making; visibility of design solutions; CAD drawing.
Term 2
Properties of materials; factors influencing materials selection; paper and board; timber; metals; polymers; CAD skills.
Term 3
Textiles; new developments in materials; standard components; fnishing materials; motion and levers; mechanical devices; electronic systems.
Term 4
Modelling processes; wastage; additive manufacturing processes; deforming and reforming; scales of manufacture; large-scale processes.
Terms 5 & 6
Exam preparations; revision techniques.
GCSE DT: Graphic Products
Year 10
Term 1
Industry & enterprise; sustainability & environment; people, culture, society; production techniques; informing design decisions.
Term 2
Energy generation & storage; modern & smart materials; composite materials / tech textiles; systems approach to design; electronic systems / mechanical devices.
Term 3
Papers & boards; natural & manufactured timbers; metals & alloys; polymers / textiles.
Term 4
Mock preparation.
Terms 5
Forces & stresses; improving functionality / scales production; ecological / social footprint / 6Rs.
Term 6
Papers & boards; sources / origins / properties; working with papers & boards; commercial manufacturing; surface treatments / finishes.
Year 11
Term 1
Extended Project: Spaces
Investigation / primary & secondary data; the work of others; design strategies; communication of design ideas; prototype development.
Term 2
Extended Project: Spaces
Selection of materials & components; tolerances & allowances / marking out; specialist tools / equipment / techniques; surface treatments / finishes.
Terms 3, 4 & 5
Extended Project: Spaces
Realisation of final piece; Evaluation
Complete Lamps Project
Final submission and exhibition.
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
Year 10
Term 1
- Eatwell Guide
- Knife skills
- Piping, mashing, handling raw meat
- Introduction to fats
- Micronutrients fat soluble vitamins
Term 2
- Dietary needs at different lifestages
- Special dietary needs and illnesses
- Energy needs
- Food provenance
- Pasta making
Term 3
- Theory of raising agents
- Eggs - aeration and coagulation
- Micro-organisms, food poisoning, key temperatures
- Cooking methods and heat transfer
- Sensory tests
Term 4
- NEA1 research
- Mock exams
Terms 5 & 6
- NEA2 - Research, planning, write-up
Year 11
Term 1
- Theory topics in preparation for written exam.
Term 2
- NEA 2
- Mock exams
Term 3
- NEA2 - skills trial, practical exam
Term 4
- NEA2 write up
- Cooking and heat transfer
- Vitamins
- Proteins and fats
- Carbohydrates
- Food poisoning
- SME issues
- Food and packaging and labelling
- Food fortification and modification
- Functional properties of foods
- Uses of micro-organisms - cheese and yoghurt production
- Primary and secondary food processing
Terms 5 & 6
- Revision
- Exams
Level 3 Food Science & Nutrition
Year 12
Term 1
- Health and safety; the Eatwell guide; characteristics of unsatisfactory nutritional intake
- Functions of nutrients: proteins; lipids; carbohydrates; vitamins; minerals
- Food preparation: turning, boning, tenderising, blending, mincing, enriching
- Cooking: braising, roasting, frying, grilling, baking
- Presentation: piping (potato); carving (deboning chicken thighs, stuffing, roasting); complex stir fry; falafel; homemade pitta; burger in brioche bun
Term 2
- Meeting nutritional needs of specific groups:
- Different life stages: childhood, adulthood, female pre-/post-natal and menopausal, male, later adulthood
- Medical conditions: type 1/type 2 diabetes; anaemia; lactose intolerant; coeliac disease
- Culture: religious beliefs; vegans/vegetarians
- Lifestyle choices
- Food preparation: filleting fish
- Cooking: poaching
- Presentation: Piping (fish pie / en papiotte)
- Pastry skills, food styling, sugar and chocolate.
Terms 3, 4 and 5
- Mock exams, practical exams and external assessments
Term 6
- Experimenting to solve food production problems
- Changing food properties: denaturation; coagulation(syneresis); shortening; emulsification; sols-gels
- Variables affecting physical properties of food: temperature, chemical reactions, manipulation (stirring, beating, whisking)
- Setting success criteria for scientific investigations: comparison to food made with "standard" ingredients; appearance; smell/aroma; flavour; texture.
A Level Product Design
Year 12
Term 1
Manufacturing systems; use of digital technology; commercial practice; legislation; health and safety; value issues; impact of design on the environment; aesthetics; ergonomics & anthropometrics; technical data; testing; quality control & assurance; smart materials; metals; context/stakeholder; enterprise; user/ergonomics; existing products; new technology; past development / historical movements.
Term 2
Plastics; wood; surface finishes; manufacturing processes; marketing lifecycle; social, ethical, environmental product lifecycle; design for manufacture; distribution; intellectual property; experts / research.
Terms 3 & 4
Live project; graphical communication / communicating construction; digital design tools and software; design strategies / project management; factors affecting material choice; properties of materials; availability and optimum use of materials; structural integrity / triangulation and reinforcing.
Terms 5 & 6
NEA Design briefs and context; surface finishes aesthetic / functional; modern technologies; iterative models / modelling processes / CAD CAM; final prototypes / workshop processes; commercial processes; scales of production / quality control; digital technologies; evaluation / testing / standards; commercial viability; risk assessments / health and safety.
Year 13
Terms 1 & 2
Product focus and analysis; purpose and criteria; manufacturer & consumer needs; strength and weaknesses of product; comparison with others;
Terms 3 & 4
Making of final prototype.
Terms 5 & 6
Revision.