Design and Technology – Key Stage 3

Staff

Design and Technology
Department head - Wendy Thomas
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Textiles and Catering
Katy Rees
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Course Outline

Key Stage 3 Projects

Currently students receive two 50 minute DT lessons per week. In Year 7 students are allocated one Resistant Materials Technology lesson and one Food Technology lesson. In Year 8 Food Technology is replaced with another Resistant Materials class and in Year 9 one Resistant Materials is replaced with Textiles. The current teaching/project format is featured below but is soon to be re-structured in the Summer 2010, with Food being offered in Year 9 and Textiles in Year 7.

In Key Stage 3, students follow the National Curriculum using structured Schemes of Work and well designed workbooks, recognised as being exemplar by WJEC KS3 Moderation team. Students of all ages and abilities are encouraged and able to produce designing and making work of a high standard. They also make full use of ICT where appropriate, including the use of CAD/CAM – software packages such as Techsoft 2D Design and Pro Desktop as well as our computer controlled Roland Vinyl cutting machine and laser cutter.

Homework

Frequency and Format
During Years 7-9 students will be given one week to complete homework within each specialist area of Design Technology.

Homework is predominantly set during the research stages of the design process, but, when necessary, students may be required to carry out preparatory work for a forthcoming task or lesson activity, or to complete extension work. This could mean for example, acquiring information from a library, watching a television programme, analysing the form and function of a domestic appliance, acquiring specific ingredients, or the completion of a particular design sheet/s.

Student Grouping

In KS3 (Years 7-9), students are grouped in mixed ability classes, with a mixture of form classes. In practical subjects such as Science, DT and Art and Design, we teach students in smaller classes to allow more individual help with practical tasks, and easier access to equipment and facilities.

Assessment Pattern

Class work is marked every half term and formally at the end of every project. Informal assessment takes place during lessons. Students are then made aware of their class marks and the level which they are working towards, in order to set targets for continued improvement. Students’ marks and grades are recorded and monitored every term. Students also self evaluate their work at the end of every project, in order to improve their understanding of the assessment process, and to continue to make progress. We strive to give students purposeful and detailed feedback to their work.

Marking of Work

Marks are awarded for every stage of the design process e.g. out of 10 for research, designing, planning etc. At the end of every stage of the design process we also award a National Curriculum level which allows students to see that level they are working towards achieving.

Termly assessments – These are given as levels, and are based on class work and homework from the term, and work completed. A target level will be set for the next term. As a guide, Level 4 is the average grade for a student at the end of Year 7, and a Level 5 is the average level for the end of Key Stage – Year 9. We would expect students to improve one and a half levels from Year 7 to Year 9. We strive to encourage students to achieve the best level they can and each year a significant number of our students achieve Level 7 or 8 at the end of Year 9.

Recommended wider reading (and viewing)

Any visits to exhibitions or displays encourage and improve students’ awareness of design and designers work. We would encourage students to draw, design, and take part in craft based interests outside school where possible. Any design or general Design History based books are worth looking at to help with inspiration. The school library is now building up a good collection, and some books are available in the department.

How can you help your child?

Encouragement with their work, particularly the completion of homework is most beneficial. Purchasing appropriate drawing and design equipment for students e.g. pencils, pens, fine liner, rubber and ruler as well as a set of good quality colouring pencils will benefit their DT work. We ask for a small financial contribution towards the cost of materials to make the wide range of KS3 DT projects. Helping students to visit exhibitions, or to collect first-hand research for their work will certainly help to support them.