Key Stage 3 Technology

In your Technology lessons in Year 7 you will work with a range of materials. These will include resistant materials such as wood and plastics, textiles and food. You will also learn valuable designing skills.

During the year you will work with different teachers, each expert in the area that they teach. With each teacher you will complete a project, during which you will design and make a product. You will be using a range of machines so it is important that you behave responsibly and safely.

Technology is an important area of the curriculum as design affects all areas of our life.

GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition

Course Content:

The course consists of 50% coursework and a 50% written exam paper. This component will consist of two sections both containing compulsory questions and will assess the six areas of content as listed in the specified GCSE content.

Section A: questions based on stimulus material.

Section B: structured, short and extended response questions to assess content related to food preparation and nutrition.

Component 2: Food Preparation and Nutrition in Action Non-examination assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated.

Projects you will complete:

• Demonstrate effective and safe cooking skills by planning, preparing and cooking a variety of food commodities whilst using different cooking techniques and equipment.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the functional properties and chemical characteristics of food as well as a sound knowledge of the nutritional content of food and drinks.
• Understand the relationship between diet, nutrition and health, including the physiological and psychological effects of poor diet and health.
• Understand the economic, environmental, ethical and socio-cultural influences on food availability, production processes, and diet and health choices.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of functional and nutritional properties, sensory qualities and microbiological food safety considerations when preparing, processing, storing, cooking and serving food.
• Understand and explore a range of ingredients and processes from different culinary traditions (traditional British and international) to inspire new ideas or modify existing recipes.

To do well in this option you should:

• Enjoy investigating the science of ingredients, adapt recipes and making different dishes from round the world.
• Be prepared to plan your work carefully and take time to make quality dishes
• Be prepared to pay toward the cost of the weekly shopping ingredients needed for your practical learning. (approx. £10 per week for ingredients)
• Appreciate cultural ingredients and be able to identify what makes a food desirable and healthy
• Be prepared to learn how to research and communicate your findings and ideas.

Examination Details:

The course consists of 50% coursework and a 50% written exam paper.

Career Opportunities:

Healthy Promotions Officer, Dietician, Farm Manager, Livestock Technician, Waiter/Waitress, Chef, Food Buyer, Food Technologist, Food Technology Teacher, Child Care Worker, Food Stylist, Marketing Manager, Environment Health Officer

GCSE Product Design

Course Content:

This option gives you the opportunity to explore and express your creativity through design. You will have the chance to combine your imagination, artistic and practical skills as you design, make prototypes, make and promote various products. The course work completed for this course follows the same format as that for the Product Design (Graphics) however; your work will be more focused around the workshop and the use of woods, metals and plastics to make your products.

The equipment available for this course including computer aided design and manufacturing is state of the art and an ideal preparations for careers in Design and Engineering.

The course follows the AQA Product Design specification. This is made up of 50% coursework – 35 hours, with the remaining 50% in the form of a 2 hour theory exam at the end of Year 11.

This course will be taught through the completion of a range of design-and-make projects which will give you the chance to make quality products and learn new design and making skills. Theory lessons will run parallel to the coursework to help develop the skills needed to make the projects.

To do well in this option you should:

• enjoy designing and making products
• be prepared to plan your work carefully and take time to make quality things
• appreciate design and be able to identify what makes a product desirable
• be prepared to learn how to communicate your ideas by sketching and using computer graphics.

Examination Details:

This is made up of 50% coursework with the remaining 50% in the form of a 2 hour theory exam at the end of Year 11.

Career Opportunities:

Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, Interior design, Joiner, Carpenter, Jewellery Design, Furnishings.

Textiles

Course Content:

This course offers the opportunity to make three-dimensional products in compliant, flexible and pliable materials. The course will be taught through the completion of a range of design-and-make projects, giving you the chance to make high quality products and learn new design and making skills.

Topics may vary as follows:

• garment construction
• ornamental or functional artefacts
• fashion accessories
• educational materials for young children
• soft furnishing
• soft toys

Most students prefer to provide their own fabrics, especially for the final product.  You will learn to understand the constraints of different materials, care and handling and show competency in the safe use of power and hand-controlled specialist equipment. You will be required to show you can work independently and demonstrate original and creative ideas and concepts.

The course also includes:

• understanding costs
• advertising
• budgeting
• packaging
• industrial processes
• marketing
• environmental issues

You must analyse and evaluate your research products as they develop, as this is an important part of the assessment process. You will also need to show your proficiency in the use of information technology.

Examination Details:

50% exam - 2 hours

Section A – Core technical principles (20 marks)

A mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions assessing a breadth of technical
knowledge and understanding.

Section B – Specialist technical principles (30 marks)

Several short answer questions (2–5 marks) and one extended response to assess a more in
depth knowledge of technical principles.

Section C – Designing and making principles (50 marks)

A mixture of short answer and extended response questions.

50% Task(s course work) 35hrs

• Substantial design and make task
• Assessment criteria
• Identifying and investigating design possibilities
• Producing a design brief and specification
• Generating design ideas
• Developing design ideas
• Realising design ideas
• Analysing & evaluating
• In the spirit of the iterative design process, the above should be awarded holistically where they take place and not in a linear manner
• Contextual challenges to be released annually by AQA on 1 June in the year prior to the submission of the NEA
• Students will produce a prototype and a portfolio of evidence
• Work will be marked by teachers and moderated by AQA course work

GCSE Graphics

Course Content:

The course consists of 50% coursework, 35 hours, and a 50% theory paper.

The coursework element of the course includes the creation of a small to medium sized product of your choice. This includes clocks, shelves, chairs, tables, lamps, etc. all made out of wood, acrylic, metal or plastic. A 20 page brochure is submitted with the coursework.

Theory lessons are parallel to the coursework and help develop the skills needed to make the coursework project.  The equipment available for this course including computer aided design and manufacturing is state of the art and an ideal preparations for careers in Design and Engineering.

This course will be taught through mixed ability and the completion of a range of design-and-make projects, giving you the chance to make quality products and learn new design and making skills.

Projects you will complete:

Year 10 - Develop making skills

A table or stool project made out of wood. In addition to the workshop, you will also use ceramics and or the laser cutter and 3D router.

Year 11

Lighting, Photo/mirror frames, Soft furnishings, Music players/radios, Tableware, Small scale storage units, Clocks

Task: A mail order company wishes to offer a range of products based upon 20th century design movements. You are required to choose one such movement and to design and make a product or range of products which reflect the essential features of the movement. You will need to investigate a specific target market who may wish to create themed rooms in their homes.

Depending on your final design, you may need to contribute towards some materials.

Practical piece in preparation for the exam.

In previous years, students have produced a bottle opener, chair for a teenager's bedroom and a folding table.

Examination Details:

The course consists of 50% coursework and a 50% theory paper.