Design & Technology

Design & Technology

Year Groups

Careers

At EBS, careers education is a central part of school life. We provide independent, impartial guidance to help students of all ages explore their strengths and passions, and to plan for their future.

From Years 7 – 9 the focus is on career exploration, and students do this through our online platform Unifrog, which helps to identify skills and career interests. We also work with employers, training providers and local colleges to offer real-world experiences. All students complete work experience from Year 10 and meet with our independent Careers Advisor.

Careers Education

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If you require any further information about the curriculum we are following in this subject, please click here to contact the Head of Faculty/Department.

Course ID

N/A

Faculty

Design & Technology

Department

Design & Technology

Level

Key Stage 3

Head of Faculty

C. Roncarati

Head of Department

A. Lane

Key Stage 3 Design & Technology

Course Overview

Our Key Stage 3 (KS3) Design and Technology curriculum encourages creativity, problem-solving and innovation through a broad range of practical and design-based experiences. Students are challenged to think imaginatively and critically as they design and make products that respond to the needs of different users and real-world contexts.

Across a variety of themed projects, students work both independently and collaboratively to investigate, design, develop and evaluate their ideas. They respond to carefully structured design briefs, learning how to question existing products and propose thoughtful improvements. Through iterative design processes, students build resilience and confidence as they refine their work from initial concept through to a finished outcome.

The curriculum develops students’ understanding of materials, systems and manufacturing processes, alongside an appreciation of sustainability, ethics and global issues in design. Students learn to select and use a wide range of tools, equipment and materials safely and effectively, embedding technical knowledge with practical skill. By the end of KS3, students are confident designers and makers, well prepared for further study in Design and Technology and related disciplines.

Course Description

Year 7

Term	Unit of Work	Assessment
Autumn 1	During the first half term students will sit a baseline test. They will develop drawing skills and learn how to work safely in our workshops.	Baseline test
Autumn 2	Working with wood; learning about timber and the practical processes of shaping and finishing a truck. Then students learn from one of the following: electronics theory covered through a booklet and practical process of making a fuse tester; understanding polymers and making a bag tag, including the use of CAD (computer aided design) and the laser cutter; work with metals and timbers to design and make a coat hook.
Spring 1	Students continue to learn a selection from: electronics theory covered through a booklet and the practical process of making a fuse tester or steady hand game; understanding polymers and making a bag tag, including the use of CAD (computer aided design) and the laser cutter; work with metals and timbers to design and make a coat hook.	Spring assessment
Spring 2	Students continue to learn a selection from: electronics theory covered through a booklet and the practical process of making a fuse tester or steady hand game; understanding polymers and making a bag tag, including the use of CAD (computer aided design) and the laser cutter; work with metals and timbers to design and make a coat hook.
Summer 1	Students continue to learn a selection from: electronics theory covered through a booklet and the practical process of making a fuse tester or steady hand game; understanding polymers and making a bag tag, including the use of CAD (computer aided design) and the laser cutter; work with metals and timbers to design and make a coat hook.
Summer 2	Students continue to learn a selection from: electronics theory covered through a booklet and the practical process of making a fuse tester or steady hand game; understanding polymers and making a bag tag, including the use of CAD (computer aided design) and the laser cutter; work with metals and timbers to design and make a coat hook.	Summer assessment

Year 8

Term	Unit of Work	Assessment
Autumn 1	During the first half term students will develop drawing skills and learn how to work safely in our workshops. Students will then begin their first project either a mechanical toy, or metal G Clamp. The mechanical toy – continuing from the truck project, students learn more in-depth theory and skills using wood, mechanisms, cams and levers. Students will also learn about, systems and movement, how they work and where they can be found. For the G-Clamp, students learn about metals and how to cut, shape and join them.	Autumn assessment
Autumn 2	Students will continue with their mechanical toy, or metal G Clamp. The mechanical toy – continuing from the truck project, students learn more in-depth theory and skills using wood, mechanisms, cams and levers. Students will also learn about, systems and movement, how they work and where they can be found. G-Clamp students learn about metals and how to cut, shape and join them.
Spring 1	Students will continue with their mechanical toy, or metal G Clamp. The mechanical toy – continuing from the truck project, students learn more in-depth theory and skills using wood, mechanisms, cams and levers. Students will also learn about, systems and movement, how they work and where they can be found. G-Clamp students learn about metals and how to cut, shape and join them.	Spring assessment
Spring 2	Students will continue with their mechanical toy, or metal G Clamp. The mechanical toy – continuing from the truck project, students learn more in-depth theory and skills using wood, mechanisms, cams and levers. Students will also learn about, systems and movement, how they work and where they can be found. G-Clamp students learn about metals and how to cut, shape and join them.
Summer 1	Students will continue with their mechanical toy, or metal G Clamp. The mechanical toy – continuing from the truck project, students learn more in-depth theory and skills using wood, mechanisms, cams and levers. Students will also learn about, systems and movement, how they work and where they can be found. G-Clamp students learn about metals and how to cut, shape and join them.
Summer 2	Students will continue with their mechanical toy, or metal G Clamp. The mechanical toy – continuing from the truck project, students learn more in-depth theory and skills using wood, mechanisms, cams and levers. Students will also learn about, systems and movement, how they work and where they can be found. G-Clamp students learn about metals and how to cut, shape and join them.	Summer assessment

Year 9

Term	Unit of Work	Assessment
Autumn 1	A selection from: Structures – making structures by learning about forces to support loads for testing. Lamp project – within an open brief, design and make a creative solution to a problem related to appropriate task lighting. Pin Hammer – learning about manufacturing and machining with metals. All projects extend knowledge and understanding from Year 8.	End of unit tests and design projects.
Autumn 2	Continuing with their Lamp project – within an open brief, design and make a creative solution to a problem related to appropriate task lighting. Pin Hammer – learning about manufacturing and machining with metals. All projects extend knowledge and understanding from Year 8.	End of unit tests and design projects.
Spring 1	Continuing with their Lamp project – within an open brief, design and make a creative solution to a problem related to appropriate task lighting. Pin Hammer – learning about manufacturing and machining with metals. All projects extend knowledge and understanding from Year 8.	End of unit tests and design projects.
Spring 2	Continuing with their Lamp project – within an open brief, design and make a creative solution to a problem related to appropriate task lighting. The starting or completing of their Pin Hammer – learning about manufacturing and machining with metals. All projects extend knowledge and understanding from Year 8.	End of unit tests and design projects.
Summer 1	Continuing with their Lamp project – within an open brief, design and make a creative solution to a problem related to appropriate task lighting. The starting or completing of their Pin Hammer – learning about manufacturing and machining with metals. All projects extend knowledge and understanding from Year 8.	End of unit tests and design projects.
Summer 2	Continuing with their Lamp project – within an open brief, design and make a creative solution to a problem related to appropriate task lighting. The starting or completing of their Pin Hammer – learning about manufacturing and machining with metals. All projects extend knowledge and understanding from Year 8. Drawing skills to learn new techniques and improve presentation in preparation for GCSE.	During final term students will sit an end of KS3 test.

Extended Learning

Year 7

Websites	Read	Visit or Watch	Extra
BBC Bitesize D&T; How It’s Made YouTube	Collins D&T workbooks	Museums and exhibitions	Makers Club; Props Club for shows. Robotics Club; F1 for schools. CAD support.

Year 8

Websites	Read	Visit or Watch	Extra
BBC Bitesize D&T; How It’s Made YouTube	Collins D&T workbooks	Museums and exhibitions	Makers Club; Props Club for shows. Robotics Club; F1 for schools. CAD support.

Year 9

Websites	Read	Visit or Watch	Extra
BBC Bitesize D&T; How It’s Made YouTube	Collins D&T workbooks	Museums and exhibitions	Makers Club; Props Club for shows. Robotics Club; F1 for schools. CAD support.