Design and Technology

Design and Technology prepares pupils to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing technologies. They learn to think creatively to solve problems, improve the quality of life, develop ideas and make products and systems. The course combines practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices.

Students at Moulton School benefit from a modern and progressive Design and Technology department with 6 experienced teachers and excellent facilities including a refurbished design block containing: two product design multi-media workshops, 2 textiles and general purpose rooms, a workshop, a CAD/CAM suite and a food and technology room.

Key Stage 3

In years 7 and 8 students receive 4 lessons per fortnight, 2 in Resistant Materials and 2 in food preparation and nutrition or textiles. Each topic lasts about a half term and a test takes place at the end of each unit. The topics are studied on a rotation to enable access to specialised equipment and may occasionally change to match availability. In addition, students learn how to carry out practical work safely.

The topics students learn about in year 7 include:  

Food

• Healthy Eating and Key Skills
• Food Packaging
• Fruit Salad
• Breakfast Muffins
• Leek and Potato soup
• Pizza Toast
• Cheese Scones
• Bolognese
• Flapjacks

Design and Technology including textiles

• Zipped container
• Blockman - Learning to use: Tenon Saw, Linisher, Pillar Drill, Hand drill, Wood finished and dowel joints.
• Memphis clock - Learning to use: Coping Saw, Hegner Saw, Linisher, Pillar Drill, Strip heater, Fusion Cement and plastic finishes.
• Pop-up book
• Introduction to 2-D design - to develop skills in computer aided design

The topics students learn about in year 8 are:

Food

• Nutrition, diet and lifestyle
• Development of skills
• Food labelling
• Stir fry
• Bread
• Pizza
• Pasta Bake
• Fajitas
• Sponge drops
• Cheesecake

Design and Technology including textiles

• Cushion cover
• Earbud holder - using CAD design and laser cutter
• Blister packaging - learning to use: craft knife, vacuum former
• Nightlight - learning to use: Soldering iron, attaching components
• Programming a small robot
• Pewter casting

GCSE

In year 9 pupils can choose either Food Preparation and Nutrition or Design and Technology with a specialism in either Textiles or Resistant Materials. They study 5 lessons per fortnight.

The topics Food Preparation and Nutrition students study in year 9 are

• the Eatwell guide
• macro and micronutrients
• energy balance and diet through life
• factors affecting food choice
• foods from around the world

The topics Design and Technology (both Textiles and Resistant Materials) students study in year 9 are

• devise case / polymers and textiles
• wooden storage box - laser cut top, mitre joints, leather lined
• packaging for a fragrance bottle using CAD/CAM

The topics Food Preparation and Nutrition students study in year 10 are

• food hygiene and safety
• why we cook food / methods of heat transfer
• processing and provenance
• food security
• food preservation
• technological developments
• sensory analysis
• mock NEA 1 & 2

In year 10 Textiles and Resistant Materials students study tasks within their specialism

Textiles to include:

• bags
• sports wear
• soft furnishings
• prep for GCSE NEA

Resistant Materials to include:

• lighting
• flat pack
• childrens toy
• prep for GCSE NEA

Parental advice for Food Preparation and Nutrition: Students will be required to bring ingredients for practicals. Not bringing ingredients will affect your child's progress in terms of practical skills. 

Year 11 pupils are taking AQA Design Technology GCSE courses:

• Product Design
• Textiles Technology

Assessment for a GCSE qualification in a Design subject consists of both coursework and examination as follows:

Food Preparation and Nutrition

NEA 1 - 15% of final mark

NEA 2 - 35% of final mark

EXAM - 50% of final mark

Resistant Materials and Textiles 

NEA - 50% of final mark

EXAM - 50% of final mark

A Level

AQA Product Design 3D Design working with compliant and non-compliant materials.

Assessment breakdown as follows

NEA 50%

Paper 1 - 30% Technical principles

Paper 2 - 20% Designing and Making principles