Design Technology Curriculum
Where creativity meets craftsmanship
Why study Design Technology?
What DT develops
Student voice
“Engineering is good because I find out how things are put together and there are lots of good jobs in Engineering, not stuck in an office but out on rigs and fixing machines"Ellie, Year 11
Key Stage 3 DT– Cycle Overview
Cycle 1
Year 7
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Sketching in 3D
- Presentation techniques
Assessment
- Isometric drawing task
Key Vocabulary
- Oblique
- Isometric
Year 8
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Responding to a client brief
- Graphics presentation
- Using CAD
Assessment
- Extended writing task
Key Vocabulary
- Specification
- Vacuum Forming
Year 9
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Advanced cooking skills
- Whisking, blending, heat transfer methods
Assessment
- Extended writing task
Key Vocabulary
- Denaturation
- Coagulation
- Caramelisation
Cycle 2
Year 7
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Safe kitchen skills
- Preparing ingredients
- Understanding food groups
Assessment
- Extended writing task
- Design task
Key Vocabulary
- Hygiene
- Microbe
Year 8
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Soldering
- Vacuum forming
Assessment
- Design task
- Practical task
Key Vocabulary
- Risk assessment
- Soldering
Year 9
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Using CAD and CAM
- Responding to a client brief
- Developing ideas
- Planning for making
Assessment
- Design task
Key Vocabulary
- Isometric
- Laser cutter
Cycle 3
Year 7
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Safe workshop skills
- Using tools and equipment
Assessment
- Practical task
- End of year written assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Equipment
- Safety
Year 8
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Foods from around the world
- Origins of food
Assessment
- Extended writing task
- End of year written assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Seasonality
- Sensory analysis
Year 9
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Planning for making
- Forging
- Casting
Assessment
- Practical task
- End of year written assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Malleable
- Assembly
Key Stage 4 DT-AQA GCSE Design and Technology
Cycle 1
Year 10
Knowledge focus
Key skills
Assessment
- Theory test
- Practical assignment
Key Vocabulary
- Renewable
- Sustainable
- Thermoplastic
- Ferrous
- Process
Year 11
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Developing design ideas
- Making prototypes
Assessment
- November Prelim
Key Vocabulary
- CAD/CAM
- Prototype
- Risk assessment
Cycle 2
Year 10
Knowledge focus
Key skills
Assessment
- Workshop project assessments
Key Vocabulary
- Risk assessment
- Orthographic
Year 11
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Planning for making, workshop practical tasks, evaluating progress
Assessment
- February Prelim
Key Vocabulary
- Risk assessment
- scales of production
Cycle 3
Year 10
Knowledge focus
Key skills
Assessment
- Year 10 Summer Exam
Key Vocabulary
- Specification
- Template
- Manufacturing
Year 11
Knowledge focus
Key skills
Assessment
- External Examination
Key Vocabulary
- Explain
- Discuss
- Evaluate
Key Stage 4 Engineering- OCR Cambridge National in Engineering Manufacture
Cycle 1
Year 10
Knowledge focus
- Principles of Engineering Manufacture
Key Skills
- Materials, processes, interpreting engineering drawings
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Renewable
- Sustainable
- Thermoplastic
- Ferrous
- Process
Year 11
Knowledge focus
Key skills
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- CAD/CAM
- Prototype
- Risk assessment
Cycle 2
Year 10
Knowledge focus
Key skills
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Risk assessment
- Orthographic
Year 11
Knowledge focus
Key skills
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Risk assessment
- Scales of production
Cycle 3
Year 10
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Engineering Exam content: materials and processes
- NEA (coursework): manufacturing a template
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Specification
- Template
- Manufacturing
Year 11
Knowledge focus
Key skills
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Explain
- Discuss
- Evaluate
Key Stage 5 Design Technology and Engineering-OCR A Level Design and Technology (Design Engineering)
Cycle 1- DT
Year 12
Knowledge focus
- Design thinking
Key Skills
- Research
- Product analysis
- Performance characteristics of materials
- Questionnaires and the importance of 3rd party feedback
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Performance analysis
- Product analysis
Year 13
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Manufacture
- Manufacture and project management
- Computer aided manufacture
- Scales of production
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Project management
- Scales of production
Cycle 2
Year 12
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Enhancement of materials
- Forming, redistribution and addition processes
- Finishes
- Modern and industrial scales of practice
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Redistribution
- Additive
- Wasting
Year 13
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Testing
- Prototypes
- Working models
- Client analysis
- Modification
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Modification
- Iterative
Cycle 3
Year 12
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Development
- Modern and industrial commercial practise
- Digital design and manufacture Enterprise/marketing in the development of products
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Enterprise
- Development
- Sustainability
Year 13
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Evaluation
- Analysis of production cycle
- Feasibility studies
- Product improvements
- Modern manufacturing systems
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Life cycle analysis
- Manufacturing systems
Key Stage 5 Engineering
Cycle 1- Engineering
Year 12
Knowledge focus
- Engineering Product design and manufacture
- Working with metal
- Engineering Principles
Key Skills
- Algebraic and trigonometric mathematical methods
- Design triggers and challenges
- Developing skills and attributes
Assessment
- Assessed written tasks
- Principles exam questions
Key Vocabulary
- Orthographic
- Isometric
Year 13
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Health & safety
- Human Factors
- Exploring career options
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Engineering sectors
- Placement
- Diagnostic
Cycle 2
Year 12
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Static engineering systems
- Equipment & system constraints and opportunities
- Material properties
- Manufacturing processes
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Vocational
- Human factors
Year 13
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Common engineering processes
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Risk assessment
- Kaisen
- Production plan
Cycle 3
Year 12
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Dynamic engineering systems
- Clarifying expectations for employment in engineering
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Engineering sectors
- Engineering processes
Year 13
Knowledge focus
Key skills
- Principles of engineering drawings
Assessment
Key Vocabulary
- Evaluation of process
For Key Stage 5 Curriculum information please click link here to our Sixth Form Curriculum