Richmond School
School Departments | Design & Technology
KS3
Design & Technology is one element of Technology, in itself a foundation subject within the framework of the National Curriculum.
Design & Technology should be delivered not only as a 'subject' but also as a cross curricular strand of a child's education. There are identifiable elements to D&T which - can be the basis for the provision of D&T at Richmond School. These elements consisting of among others: knowledge (knowing that and knowing how), the social and cultural element including the instigators, practitioners and benefactors of D&T; and the problem solving element of D&T which is the general process by which most D&T activity is carried out, should be at the core of a pupil's experience and part of a broader, more general education entitlement.
At KS3 a child’s experience of D&T at Richmond School will start at lower school where a good many students will have a first real encounter with the subject. Other students who are more familiar with the curriculum area will see many familiar tools and pieces of equipment that they may well have used in their Primary Schools.
Food, textiles and workshop based activities are introduced as identifiable strands in the curriculum model. Ways of working will be similar. Tools and materials are not. Yet during Y7 the brief exposure to design based activities that is offered to students will begin to formulate their own ideas of what they can and cannot do.
In Y8 all students are taught on the main school site. Here they will find a very great difference in the equipment and resources that D&T has to offer. New textile and food rooms housed within a two year old purpose built block are a tremendous asset to our provision. Four dedicated rooms and a whole school IT facility make this a very attractive area to work in.
The more traditional but very useable workshops are vastly different to the lower school facility. Here we have five rooms that allow students to design and make to high standards. Here students are introduced to mechanisms and working with aluminium.
Most of our work is project based and Y9 is no exception. Students have the opportunity to use virtually all of the equipment that we have on offer and it is in this year when our Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Machining (CAM) are introduced.
Examples of work from some of the projects that years 7 to 9 carry out are shown on this website.
KS4
Graphic Products
This course is assessed through a major piece of coursework to be completed during Year 11 and an examination at the end of Year 11. Coursework contributes 60% towards the final mark while the terminal exam completes the assessment providing the remaining 40%.
You will be taught the art of visual communication using 2D images and 3D models to project your ideas, working in virtually every type of medium we have, including:
• Reprographics, colour resources and computer aided design
• Generating a range of products in paper, card, polystyrene and acrylic
• Tackling problems related to the world of advertising and illustration
• Working on major projects related to topics such as “green” environmental issues, packaging, motor vehicle design and fashion design
Resistant Materials
This course is assessed through a major piece of coursework to be completed during Year 11 and an examination at the end of Year 11. Coursework contributes 60% towards the final mark while the terminal exam completes the assessment providing the remaining 40%.
Wood, metal and plastic are the main materials used on this course and you will manipulate them to create products which look good and do the job they are designed for. You are already familiar with the three main materials and your skills and knowledge will be increased when you tackle a range of activities including:
• Developing solid shapes, reforming and combining materials, destructive testing and applying finishes
• Generating change with the application of: heat, forces, computer aided design and your own skill
The scope for major projects is vast with possibilities in: modelling, jewellery, children’s toys, storage, tools, or simply an object to be ornamental.
KS5
Although there is a significant amount of staff input to this course, your success will depend on your commitment. You will need to be self-motivated, willing to develop self-confidence and unafraid of problem solving. The course will be challenging because Design and Technology is so broad ranging.
The AS in Design and Technology has three units which broadly cover:
a) knowledge and understanding
b) design and the influence of design and marketing on products
c) the processes of commercial and industrial manufacture of products
You will look at the underpinning influence that design has had in the past and in present day life. You will study the properties of materials, how they are classified and how they can be manipulated. You will also need to understand a range of industrial processes, and are likely to visit manufacturers to gain experience of the most up-to-date techniques. Two minor “design and make” assignment are required, each lasting about a term, which are assessed in school, followed by two written papers.
The A2 also has three units, offering progression from the AS, with a more demanding level of assessment:
• A major piece of work is required. Through discussion with your teachers, you will generate a unique design proposal and then make it, using a variety of materials• You will need to carry out a product study of one piece of contemporary product design. Industrial or commercial links may well lead you to visit a major retailer or manufacturer for research before submitting a detailed product analysis
One further written paper will complete the assessment
Students can progress to design based careers such as engineering, CAD, architecture, graphic and product design and automotive engineering.
Contact Information
Mr I Dawson ) |
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Mr G Davies ) |
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Mrs L Dodds ) |
01748 850111 |
Mr N Wilford ) |
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Miss A Young ) |