Contacts: |
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| Head of Faculty Art & Design | Sophie Rodger |
| Teacher of Design Technology & Key Stage 3 Coordinator | Oisin Scullion |
Within the context of Art and Design Technology, we aim to develop students skills and confidence enabling them to visually communicate ideas that are personal to them. Students gain background information on a variety of materials and processes before developing the skills to manipulate materials to enable designs to be reality.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Design Technology is an inspiring, and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, students design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others' needs, wants and values. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.
Key Stage 3 Design and Technology is taught in a rotation system with Textiles, Art and Food Preparation & Nutrition. Students are taught in mixed ability groups and work with a variety of compliant and resistant materials. Specialist teachers teach students and each project last 8 weeks. Workshop knowledge, skills and techniques are taught through the following projects:
Year 7
Students design and build a hand held maze game using a variety of material types. The project allows students to gain foundation skills in the subject area while becoming familiar with a workshop environment. Students also explore biomimicry going on to design and make toys from textiles.
Year 8
Students carry out an investigation into a culture of their choice before using the design process to produce a high quality pendent using pewter. Students are encouraged to engage with a target user throughout the process and react to their advice and/or ciricism. A presentation box is produced in line with the pendent design. Students also study technical and protective textiles in which they design and make an Oyster Card holder.
Year 9
Students develop an understanding of basic electronic theory before designing and making their very own USB powered LED light. Students design and make to their own taste. The project is designed to replicate a Product Design GCSE practical. Students also study 'Visual Communication'. Within this scheme of learning students use computer aided technology and create their own piece of visual communication in both 2Dand 3D. Students study visual literacy and explore the elements that make a powerful image.
The assessment criteria for the project is of three areas: designing, manufacture and understanding of theoretical content. Assessment and feedback is given every two weeks and every project ends with an end of unit test.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
GCSE Art & Design: Three-dimensional Design
We teach 3D Design at GCSE, which is an endorsement of the Edexcel GCSE Art & Design course. This gives students the opportunity to build on the skills they learn at Key Stage 3 whilst providing them with a framework which allows them to creatively explore their own ideas and experiences. Students are encouraged to develop individual creativity through exploring different ideas, media and processes. A wide range of stimuli is used as starting points for the projects.
The course is split into a range of small projects to enable students to develop and explore their skills, techniques, materials and processes that are essential to working as a Three-dimensional Designer both digital and non-digital. Students will develop a practical knowledge and understanding of how to communicate ideas visually, an understanding of the characteristics of materials such as resistance, malleability, recyclability and sustainability and the elements of three-dimensional design such as light, space, form, scale and proportion. Students will also explore the effects and crative potential of combining and manipulating different two-dimensional and three-dimensional materials and media.
The practical areas of 3D Design are informed by understanding and enjoyment of design from a wide range of historical and cultural contexts. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Students learn how to take risks, become resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.
Students use their learning to create a realisation of their design idea in the form of a final outcome. Students are encouraged to be expressive and imaginative with their ideas and use of media.
Sketchbooks are an essential part of the GCSE and are required throughout the coure and during the examination. Students are provided with a sketchbook to encourage greater autonomy and to use as a visual diary.
GCSE 3D Design is divided into 2 categories of assessment:
60% Unit 1: Personal Portfolio (supporting studies and final outcomes completed in Year 10 and autumn term in Year 11)
40% Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment (supporting studies plus a final outcome created in the 10 hour exam at the end of the project)
Each unit of work will comprise of:
- Supporting studies: a sketchbook full of work including all research, preparation and experimentation
- Final outcome: a realisation of the unit of work which will usually take the form of a product or 3D sculpture
The work is assessed according to the following criteria:
- Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources
- Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes
- Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses
- Present a personal and meaninful response that realises intentions and demonstrtes understanding of visual language
Key Stage 5 Curriculum
3D Design and Textiles are not taught as independent subjects at Key Stage 5. However, students are able to direct their work towards a 3D/Product Design/Architecture/Textile Design/Fashion route through the unendorsed GCE Art and Design course.
Enrichment Opportunities
Each year we have an artist or designer in residence for two terms who is available to work with students and run after school activities. They are also available for students to see how an artist/designer works in regards to career opportunities.
The Art and Design Faculty has an 'open door' polich which allows students to use the space and facilities to work on homework and individual projects. A weekly Key Stage 3 Design Technology Club runs every other Wednesday after school. Students complete a range of projects in the club from design and making Angle poise lamps to laser cut name plates.
Targeted groups of students will be given extra-curricular Art & Design project opportunities throughout the year.