About
Design and Technology
| “Design
and Technology, in the modern curriculum, is at the
forefront of developing the creative problem
solving skills required to successfully participate
in today's rapidly changing technological society. ” |
 |
What is Design and Technology?
Design & Technology,
in the modern curriculum, is at the forefront of developing
the creative problem solving skills required to successfully
participate in today’s rapidly changing technological
society. The subject provides an arena in which the
arts and sciences meet, creating an opportunity for
pupils to apply their innovative talents and technological
knowledge to solving real human problems. The values
of traditional skills are developed in parallel with
advancements in the subject, including modern and smart
materials, virtual and rapid prototyping and computer-aided
design and manufacture. Through reflection upon the
social and environmental consequences of their own
and others design decisions pupils expand their awareness
and responsibility towards the wider world.
Design & Technology
offers a diversity of teaching and learning opportunities
providing the opportunity for all pupils to achieve.
As a Foundation subject all pupils study Design and
Technology as part of the National Curriculum between
Years 1-9.
Why
is Design and Technology a Foundation Subject?
“Design
and technology prepares pupils to participate in tomorrow’s
rapidly changing technologies. Pupils learn to think
and intervene creatively to improve the quality of
life. The subject calls for pupils to become autonomous
and creative problem-solvers, as individuals and members
of a team. They must look for needs, wants and opportunities
and respond to them by developing a range of ideas
and making products and systems. Pupils combine practical
skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social
and environmental issues, function and industrial practices.
As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present
and past design and technology, its uses and effects.
Through design and technology, pupils can become informed
users of products and become innovators.”
Design
and Technology – National Curriculum,
DfES, QCA 1999
Design
and Technology at Key Stage 3
Pupils
in Years 7-9 experience a wide range of designing and
making activities which progressively extend their
creative problem solving abilities. Through the use
of the ‘design process’ pupils learn to
access and apply the following:
- Analytical
skills
- Researching
skills
- Communication
skills (visual, written and verbal)
- Planning
skills
- Practical
skills
- Evaluative
skills
The
curriculum is delivered through a range of material
areas, including Food, Resistant Materials, Graphics
and Systems & Control with pupils learning to employ
their knowledge, skills and understanding to a variety
of problem solving contexts. Focused practical tasks
develop pupils understanding of materials, tools and
processes, product analysis exercises broaden knowledge
of past and present design, and extended design and make
assignments provide an arena for pupils to engage in
solving real problems. The use of ICT as a research and
communication tool is encouraged, including the use of
Computer-aided Design (CAD) and Computer-aided Manufacture
(CAM)
Design
and Technology at Key
Stage 4
Design & Technology
is an optional subject at Key Stage 4, the majority
of pupils choose to continue their studies to examination
level. Years 10 and 11 provide an opportunity for pupils
to develop their designing skills whilst at the same
time deepening their subject knowledge in a specialised
area. Whilst courses are constantly under review, the
department currently offers full GCSE courses in the
following areas:
- AQA
GCSE Design & Technology: GRAPHIC
PRODUCTS
- AQA
GCSE Design & Technology: RESISTANT
MATERIALS
- OCR
GCSE Home Economics: FOOD & NUTRITION
- OCR GCSE Home Economics: CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Child Development GCSE
This
is a very popular course offered at certificate level to years
10 and 11.
The Staff have considerable experience in delivering
this course, which has always appealed to girls, but
is gradually attracting more boys.
The
GCSE course is assessed as follows:
• |
A
final written examination worth 50% |
• |
Three pieces of coursework worth 50% |
The
course includes family life, pregnancy, child development
and health and safety. Much of Year 10 is spent preparing
for the GCSE written examination and learning the underpinning
theory. Pupils carry out two short pieces of coursework and then a child study over a six month period to match theory with reality.
Visitors join classes relating first hand
experiences of parenthood. Babies and toddlers provide
wonderful opportunities for observation work. Fathers are
encouraged to speak about their role.
The
school is also pleased to receive the support of the
professionals in the community dealing with all aspects
of child development. Doctors, midwives, health visitors,
child minders and local playgroups may all contribute to
the course.
The
Design Department at Northgate High School
Arts
College status has brought many benefits to Northgate,
not least the formation of a new Design Department, created
through the merging of Art and Design and Design and
Technology. Whilst each subject maintains its own curriculum
identity, the sharing of knowledge, skills, expertise
and resources is enabling the provision of a unique educational
experience for Northgate pupils. Central to this experience
is the development of 'creativity' both as a means of
expression and as a fundamental ingredient of innovation.
Design
Department Facilities and Accommodation
The
department is continually developing its facilities and
resources to meet the needs of pupils and has benefited
recently from the Arts College status. We currently have:
1 |
Graphics
Studio |
2 |
Art
Rooms |
• |
Ceramics
facilities |
1 |
Food
Technology room |
1 |
ICT
Suite |
1 |
Photographic
Darkroom |
3 |
Multi-media
Workshops |
• |
Northgate
Exhibition Centre |
Extra
Curricular Activities
The department
is committed to extending and enriching all pupils' experiences
within the broad field of 'design.' In addition to the
regular lunchtime and after school clubs we have numerous
extra curricular events throughout the year. Practising
artists, designers and museums are drawn upon to run workshops
and activitiy days. Upper school pupils broaden their understanding
of the world of design through a variety of visits.
