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Design Technology (Key Stage 3)

Intent

Design and Technology equips students with essential skills for the 21st century, fostering adaptability, creativity, and cultural capital. Our ambitious curriculum is practical and inspiring, challenging students to design and create solutions to real-world problems.

At Oldershaw School, we emphasise technical knowledge and practical skills relevant to STEM careers. By collaborating with industry professionals, we enhance innovation and support the development of unique, functional products. Our teaching encourages critical thinking and creativity, empowering students to explore limitless design possibilities.

Year 7

Focus

AutumnSpringSummer
Pop Art Keyrings
Students will design and create a keyring inspired by the art movement of Pop Art. The purpose of this project is to develop basic design skills and techniques that can be transferred to 2D design, thereby embedding their knowledge and understanding of CAD. Students’ work will be laser-cut, followed by basic workshop practice, which will introduce them to essential tools and machinery, as well as polymers.		Wooden Toy Trains
Students will be working with timber and will develop their theoretical knowledge of this material. Students will complete a product analysis to inform the writing of their own specifications. In addition, students will develop their design skills to include technical drawing. They will continue to enhance their workshop skills and use of tools and machinery to create a high-quality wooden toy train.		Renewable Energy Prototyping
Students will explore links to STEM, particularly how design intersects with science. They will gain an understanding of renewable energy and contemporary technological advancements. Using this knowledge, they will design and prototype a train of the future. Students will develop their oracy skills by presenting their ideas in small groups.

Year 8

Focus

AutumnSpringSummer
Pencil Box – CAD/CAM
Students will collect and analyse primary data based on their chosen target market, using this information to create a detailed specification and a range of initial design concepts. They will enhance their skills in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, allowing them to develop innovative designs. The project culminates in the production of a unique lid for their pencil box, crafted using laser cutting technology. This initiative not only fosters practical design and technical skills but also encourages critical thinking and market analysis, preparing students for real-world design challenges.		Pencil Box – Wood Joints and Timbers
Students will gain an understanding of the different types of timbers, focusing on the properties of softwoods and hardwoods. They will develop practical skills in using tools safely and accurately to create half-lap joints and finger joints for the main body of their pencil box. Working with both pine and manufactured boards, students will enhance their knowledge of surface finishes to achieve a high-quality finished product. This hands-on experience will not only improve their woodworking techniques but also deepen their appreciation for material properties and craftsmanship.		Bag for life (Textiles & CAD/CAM)
Students will be introduced to working with textiles and using sewing machines as they construct their own canvas bags, gaining insight into production methods used in the industry. They will utilize CAD software to design their own eco logos, integrating their literacy skills into the design process. These logos will then be sublimated onto their finished canvas bags. Additionally, students will explore various marketing techniques and methods, enhancing their understanding of the broader context of product development and promotion. This project fosters creativity, technical skills, and a practical understanding of the textile industry.

Year 9

Focus

AutumnSpringSummer
Angle Poise Lamp
Design and Modelling
 
Students will complete a full project from start to finish, incorporating all the key skills necessary for success in GCSE. This project provides an opportunity for them to learn and refine both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. In the first half-term, students will focus on research and design elements, as well as prototyping their ideas. Their goal is to design and create a fully functioning angle poise lamp inspired by an animal. This hands-on experience will not only enhance their design and engineering capabilities but also encourage creativity and innovation.		Angle Poise Lamp
Making and Electronics
 
Students will begin the production phase of their lamp project. They will utilize a range of hand tools and machinery to ensure the completion of a high-quality lamp. As part of this process, students will study electronics, developing an understanding of different types of circuits and learning to solder their own working circuit. By the end of this half-term, students will have successfully created a high-quality, functioning angle poise lamp, showcasing their practical skills and knowledge of both design and electronics.		NEA – Smart Materials Innovation Challenge
 
Students will undertake a mini GCSE style project, developing their skills and understanding for future study. This project will be focusing on new and emerging smart technologies. They will explore the future of design and materials, allowing them to innovate and think critically about contemporary challenges. Students will design and create a prototype that showcases their creativity and innovative thinking, demonstrating their understanding of how smart technologies can influence design and functionality in modern products. This project will encourage students to engage with cutting-edge concepts and apply their skills in a practical, forward-thinking context.

Enrichment Opportunities

Useful Links/Websites

Eduqas Digital Educational Resources

BBC Bitesize

Playlists

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

The Oldershaw School
Valkyrie Road, Wallasey
Wirral CH45 4RJ
T: 0151 638 2800 E: schooladmin@oldershawschool.co.uk Executive Headteacher: Mr S Fisher