The Alice Smith School

Why do we teach Design and Technology?

A video recorder that’s easy to programme or a desk that’s just right for the home computer ... good design makes things easier and more enjoyable to use. Design and Technology lessons give students the opportunity to investigate how well familiar products and objects actually work, and who they’re really aimed at. By answering questions such as ‘Is this design solution suitable for the job?’ they learn how to solve practical problems skilfully, creatively and with imagination.

Staffing

Key Stage 3

We see key stage 3 Design and Technology at The Alice Smith School as the vital foundation which underpins all future Design and Technology related courses. It equips students with the valuable problem solving, communicative and analytical skills, which will be of great value in adulthood especially in the world of work.

Teaching for every student

All teaching groups are mixed ability and are normally 18 students. All students have 65 minutes of Design & Technology a week. A general rule is that each group covers 2 full design assignments a year and additional focused tasks. Each design assignment has an underlying context with a structured pathway through the design process. Less able students are supported within this framework. More able students are encouraged to modify the briefs and develop their own specification, extending the task and in doing so develop more complex final outcomes. Control technology and CAD/CAM are visited regularly, whilst other tasks are designed to encourage creative thinking and making in a range of materials. Graphics and ICT work is taught and encouraged in all projects. The workshops are open during the lunchtimes for students to carry on with their work.

Students are taught to:

look at products to see how they work, how they are used, whether they meet their users’ needs, whether they use materials efficiently, and what environmental impacts the products might have;
practise practical skills and tasks, such as moulding, shaping and forming;
design and create their own products. Before starting a project, students think carefully about what they have been asked to do, and how to meet the needs of the end user. Students learn to plan their projects responsibly, making their own decisions about how best to use time, money and resources, using computers at various stages in their work, and working in teams when the project is suitable. They also test the properties of materials to see how they can be best used. The products use plastics, metal, wood, ‘smart’ materials, and electrical, electronic and pneumatic parts.

Students at this age are learning to design and make proper, working products. Although these will usually be one-off, they also compare their work with mass production techniques.

Targets for every student

Around age 14, most students are able to:

draw on different sources of information
make models and drawings to develop their design ideas, and communicate them to others;
plan design projects carefully;
draw up a list of aims and features for their designs (taking into account the needs of the user, environmental issues and health and safety issues) when planning a project;
show that they understand the characteristics of the materials and equipment they work with;
check their work as it progresses and change their approach if necessary;
test their products, judging how well they work and whether they could have made them more efficiently;
check that they have made good use of information sources and their final product meets their original intention

Assessment and Examination

In all years we follow key assessment for learning principles where emphasis is placed on students improving their work. On a regular basis staff mark and set targets for improvement. Students are encouraged to improve their folder sheets by adding more information or enhancing the work. Students can then hand back their work for re-marking in an attempt to improve their attainment and effort grades.

SIC ITUR AD ASTRA - IN THIS WAY WE SHALL GO TO THE STARS.

‘Design and technology was great fun. I enjoyed designing and engineering new things and exploring how to fix objects, different tools, machines. You learn how to work with a range of products. Design and technology teaches you to analyse a problem and to try and come up with a solution. Now I’m doing a Diploma in computer network administration so those skills are quite useful.’ Anthony Cross, 19

Learning tip:

Research has shown that some students in year 8 (around age 13) tend to lack motivation. Year 7 is exciting because everything is new. At the end of year 9 students begin to make option choices and think about their GCSE’s.

In between, year 8 lacks these focal points. To overcome this, you can generate interest in school work by involving your child in activities that are interesting but related to school (for example, trips to places of interest, visits to the theatre or cinema, borrowing a video that links to school work). You could also encourage them to show you their current project and task sheet. This will communicate the type of work they are currently doing, their strengths, weaknesses and their teachers’ suggested improvement strategies.

In relation to general Design and Technology students could be encouraged to take an interest in looking at existing products or even buildings, observe how they are made and why they are made in such a way.

Peoples Work

This is what we do in KS3

Key Stage 4

GCSE Edexcel: Design & Technology

Product Design (Syllabus No. 1973)
All teaching groups are mixed ability and have on average 16 students. Students who select to do Design and Technology Resistant Material Technology have 5 x 65 minute periods over 2 weeks. Students are challenged with 2 design assignments in Year 10, which are based around a design and make situation. Designing, Graphics, materials, CAD/CAM, machinery and tool use are taught through these projects, preparing students to solve a brief that they have written for Year 11. This assignment adds up to 60% of the final grade. 40% is on a 1½ hour exam paper covering workshop processes, tools and machinery as well as a design question.

Graphic Product (Syllabus No. 1972)
All teaching groups are mixed ability and have on average 16 students. Students who select to do Design and Technology Graphics have 5 x 65 minute periods over 2 weeks. Students are challenged with a number of design assignments in Year 10, which are based around a design and model situation. Designing, Graphics, modelling materials, CAD/CAM, machinery, tools and drawing equipment are taught through these projects, preparing students to solve a brief that they have written for Year 11. This assignment adds up to 60% of the final grade. 40% is on a 1½ hour exam paper covering industrial processes, tools and machinery as well as a design question.

More Info

Key Stage 5

GCE Advanced Studies Design & Technology

Resistant Material Technology (Edexcel)
Product Design Technology (Edexcel)
Teaching groups are generally between 6-12 students. Students who select to do Design and Technology have 9 periods of 65 minutes over 2 weeks. The AS course is made up of 2 units. Unit 1 is a Design and Make Assignment (50%). AS students are given a starting point to research and identify a market need around a particular product. Students design a product and then make it themselves in the workshops. Unit 2 is knowledge and understanding of Product Design and concludes in a 2 hour examination (50%).
Unit 3 of the A2 course (50%) is a further study of Product Design and concludes in a 2 hour examination (50%). Unit 4 is a Design and Make Assignment (50%). Students are asked to identify a market need and design and make a commercially viable product. Students are encouraged to use part of their study periods to return to the workshops to continue with practical work.

Examination & Assessment

In all years, emphasis is placed on students improving their work. On a regular basis staff mark and set targets for improvement. Students are encouraged to improve their design sheets by adding more information or enhancing the work. Students can then hand back their work for re-marking in an attempt to improve their attainment and effort grades.

In this way you shall go to the stars.

More Info

Facilities & Resources

The Alice Smith School has excellent Design and Technology facilities. We currently run the following:

Wood Room
Metal Room
Multi-purpose workshop
Electronics Suite
ICT Suite
Sixth Form networked design studio
Resources library
Fully equipped Technicians Prep room
Heat Room
Design Area
Graphics Suite
Exhibition Foyer

Click here for images!

These work areas are very well equipped. Our heavy machinery consists of 4 Band saws, 2 large Belt Sanders, 2 Disc Sanders, numerous Pillar Drills and hand held powered equipment, 2 Centre lathes, a Milling machine, Arch, MIG and Oxyacetylene Welding, Aluminium Casting Bay, Brazing Hearth, Thickness Planer, Table Saw, Wood Turning Lathe, Injection Moulding, Vacuum Forming and other thermoforming facilities. The CAM facilities include a large Unimatic CNC flat bed router, Spectra Light CNC engraver and a 24” Roland Sitka cutter. The faculty has 4 LCD projectors, 2 interactive white boards and all the computers are linked to the network. We have recently installed an extensive departmental wide dust extraction system.

Design Technology Exhibition 2008

The annual DT show has been a great success. This year saw work from Design Technology; Resistant Materials and Design Technology; Graphic Products at GCSE as well as AS and A2 Product Design. The show really was a special event which inspired all who attended. Well done to all the students for their creativity, hard work and commitment in their respective courses.

I would also like to thank the DT teachers for supporting and guiding their students along the rocky road to success.

The school motto states - SIC ITUR AD ASTRA… in this way you will reach the stars

This year our DT students really did reach the stars

Click here for images!

Jalan Bellamy-Year 6 Visit

Another successful visit to DT from the Yr6 students at Jalan Bellamy. Each student had a taste of what it is like to do DT@EP. The students experienced filing, drilling and heat forming techniques. They left with an acrylic fish and a few good ‘fishy’ memories of the visit.

Click here for images!

Outside Speaker

Mian Ng Visit '08
Developing student awareness of a career in Art and Design
Last Friday we were lucky enough to enjoy a visit from Mian Ng, Director of International and Academic Development, and a prominent fashion textiles tutor in the faculty of Art and Design at Bristol University, UK.

Mian spent the day in the Design Technology department. She held a series of structured lectures to all Year 11 DT students raising awareness of a career in the Art and Design sector. She also held informal drop in sessions for older students who wanted to discuss courses and careers in Art and Design.

In just a few hours Mian certainly inspired our students. The DT staff and members of the Senior Management Team were also able to gain information on future predictions regarding the growth of the Art and Design sector in Asia.

We look forward to more of these visits in future.
Sharianne Quirk - Presenter of Craft Based Activities

EP – DT students recently saw another successful and deeply motivating craft based creativity session from Sharianne Quirk. Sharianne regularly visits the school to hold hour long sessions with the Year 10 and 11 Design Technology – Graphic Products students. Her sessions are an inspiration and give students a wider creative skills base to help communicate their design coursework.
Click here for images!
Todd Burton Visit
Earlier in the year we were lucky enough to book a visit from Todd Burton, the Head of The Design Faculty at Bristol University.

Todd Burton spent the day in the EP Design Department. He held a series of structured lectures to Years 10, 11, 12 & 13 Art and Design Technology students as well as more informal drop in sessions for anyone else who wanted to discuss courses and careers in the world of Art and Design.

Mr. Burton also held a number of skills workshops teaching drawing, magic marker colour skills and other two dimensional forms of communication beyond what is required in KS4 & 5 courses.
In just a few hours Todd Burton certainly inspired our students. He commented on the talent, enthusiasm and passion of them towards education and in particular the field of design. We look forward to more of these visits in future.

Competitions

Quick Menu

Introduction

Staffing

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 5

Facilities & Resources

Other Information




Quick Menu Introduction Staffing Key Stage 3 Key Stage 4 Key Stage 5 Facilities & Resources Other Information	Introduction Why do we teach Design and Technology? A video recorder that’s easy to programme or a desk that’s just right for the home computer ... good design makes things easier and more enjoyable to use. Design and Technology lessons give students the opportunity to investigate how well familiar products and objects actually work, and who they’re really aimed at. By answering questions such as ‘Is this design solution suitable for the job?’ they learn how to solve practical problems skilfully, creatively and with imagination. Staffing Staffing Key Stage 3 Key Stage 3 We see key stage 3 Design and Technology at The Alice Smith School as the vital foundation which underpins all future Design and Technology related courses. It equips students with the valuable problem solving, communicative and analytical skills, which will be of great value in adulthood especially in the world of work. Teaching for every student All teaching groups are mixed ability and are normally 18 students. All students have 65 minutes of Design & Technology a week. A general rule is that each group covers 2 full design assignments a year and additional focused tasks. Each design assignment has an underlying context with a structured pathway through the design process. Less able students are supported within this framework. More able students are encouraged to modify the briefs and develop their own specification, extending the task and in doing so develop more complex final outcomes. Control technology and CAD/CAM are visited regularly, whilst other tasks are designed to encourage creative thinking and making in a range of materials. Graphics and ICT work is taught and encouraged in all projects. The workshops are open during the lunchtimes for students to carry on with their work. Students are taught to: look at products to see how they work, how they are used, whether they meet their users’ needs, whether they use materials efficiently, and what environmental impacts the products might have; practise practical skills and tasks, such as moulding, shaping and forming; design and create their own products. Before starting a project, students think carefully about what they have been asked to do, and how to meet the needs of the end user. Students learn to plan their projects responsibly, making their own decisions about how best to use time, money and resources, using computers at various stages in their work, and working in teams when the project is suitable. They also test the properties of materials to see how they can be best used. The products use plastics, metal, wood, ‘smart’ materials, and electrical, electronic and pneumatic parts. Students at this age are learning to design and make proper, working products. Although these will usually be one-off, they also compare their work with mass production techniques. Targets for every student Around age 14, most students are able to: draw on different sources of information make models and drawings to develop their design ideas, and communicate them to others; plan design projects carefully; draw up a list of aims and features for their designs (taking into account the needs of the user, environmental issues and health and safety issues) when planning a project; show that they understand the characteristics of the materials and equipment they work with; check their work as it progresses and change their approach if necessary; test their products, judging how well they work and whether they could have made them more efficiently; check that they have made good use of information sources and their final product meets their original intention Assessment and Examination In all years we follow key assessment for learning principles where emphasis is placed on students improving their work. On a regular basis staff mark and set targets for improvement. Students are encouraged to improve their folder sheets by adding more information or enhancing the work. Students can then hand back their work for re-marking in an attempt to improve their attainment and effort grades. SIC ITUR AD ASTRA - IN THIS WAY WE SHALL GO TO THE STARS. ‘Design and technology was great fun. I enjoyed designing and engineering new things and exploring how to fix objects, different tools, machines. You learn how to work with a range of products. Design and technology teaches you to analyse a problem and to try and come up with a solution. Now I’m doing a Diploma in computer network administration so those skills are quite useful.’ Anthony Cross, 19 Learning tip: Research has shown that some students in year 8 (around age 13) tend to lack motivation. Year 7 is exciting because everything is new. At the end of year 9 students begin to make option choices and think about their GCSE’s. In between, year 8 lacks these focal points. To overcome this, you can generate interest in school work by involving your child in activities that are interesting but related to school (for example, trips to places of interest, visits to the theatre or cinema, borrowing a video that links to school work). You could also encourage them to show you their current project and task sheet. This will communicate the type of work they are currently doing, their strengths, weaknesses and their teachers’ suggested improvement strategies. In relation to general Design and Technology students could be encouraged to take an interest in looking at existing products or even buildings, observe how they are made and why they are made in such a way. Peoples Work This is what we do in KS3 Year 7: Torches, Luggage Tags, Vase Holders Year 8: Clocks, Travel game, Electronic Dice Year 9: Decorative Boxes, Choco-bar Graphics Product, ‘T’ Light Candle-holder Key Stage 4 Key Stage 4 GCSE Edexcel: Design & Technology Product Design (Syllabus No. 1973) All teaching groups are mixed ability and have on average 16 students. Students who select to do Design and Technology Resistant Material Technology have 5 x 65 minute periods over 2 weeks. Students are challenged with 2 design assignments in Year 10, which are based around a design and make situation. Designing, Graphics, materials, CAD/CAM, machinery and tool use are taught through these projects, preparing students to solve a brief that they have written for Year 11. This assignment adds up to 60% of the final grade. 40% is on a 1½ hour exam paper covering workshop processes, tools and machinery as well as a design question. Graphic Product (Syllabus No. 1972) All teaching groups are mixed ability and have on average 16 students. Students who select to do Design and Technology Graphics have 5 x 65 minute periods over 2 weeks. Students are challenged with a number of design assignments in Year 10, which are based around a design and model situation. Designing, Graphics, modelling materials, CAD/CAM, machinery, tools and drawing equipment are taught through these projects, preparing students to solve a brief that they have written for Year 11. This assignment adds up to 60% of the final grade. 40% is on a 1½ hour exam paper covering industrial processes, tools and machinery as well as a design question. More Info This is what we do in Year 10: Resistant Materials 2008 Exam Coursework KS4 Y11 Graphics Coursework Y11 Resistant materials Coursework Year 11 Under Pressure Archive Year 11 GCSE Key Stage 5 Key Stage 5 GCE Advanced Studies Design & Technology Resistant Material Technology (Edexcel) Product Design Technology (Edexcel) Teaching groups are generally between 6-12 students. Students who select to do Design and Technology have 9 periods of 65 minutes over 2 weeks. The AS course is made up of 2 units. Unit 1 is a Design and Make Assignment (50%). AS students are given a starting point to research and identify a market need around a particular product. Students design a product and then make it themselves in the workshops. Unit 2 is knowledge and understanding of Product Design and concludes in a 2 hour examination (50%). Unit 3 of the A2 course (50%) is a further study of Product Design and concludes in a 2 hour examination (50%). Unit 4 is a Design and Make Assignment (50%). Students are asked to identify a market need and design and make a commercially viable product. Students are encouraged to use part of their study periods to return to the workshops to continue with practical work. Examination & Assessment In all years, emphasis is placed on students improving their work. On a regular basis staff mark and set targets for improvement. Students are encouraged to improve their design sheets by adding more information or enhancing the work. Students can then hand back their work for re-marking in an attempt to improve their attainment and effort grades. In this way you shall go to the stars. More Info 2008 Exam Coursework KS5 Year 12 AS Lighting Year 13 A2 Coursework What The A Level Students Say Archive Coursework Year 12 Lighting Year 13 Last Year Facilities & Resources Facilities & Resources The Alice Smith School has excellent Design and Technology facilities. We currently run the following: Wood Room Metal Room Multi-purpose workshop Electronics Suite ICT Suite Sixth Form networked design studio Resources library Fully equipped Technicians Prep room Heat Room Design Area Graphics Suite Exhibition Foyer Click here for images! These work areas are very well equipped. Our heavy machinery consists of 4 Band saws, 2 large Belt Sanders, 2 Disc Sanders, numerous Pillar Drills and hand held powered equipment, 2 Centre lathes, a Milling machine, Arch, MIG and Oxyacetylene Welding, Aluminium Casting Bay, Brazing Hearth, Thickness Planer, Table Saw, Wood Turning Lathe, Injection Moulding, Vacuum Forming and other thermoforming facilities. The CAM facilities include a large Unimatic CNC flat bed router, Spectra Light CNC engraver and a 24” Roland Sitka cutter. The faculty has 4 LCD projectors, 2 interactive white boards and all the computers are linked to the network. We have recently installed an extensive departmental wide dust extraction system. Other Information Design Technology Exhibition 2008 The annual DT show has been a great success. This year saw work from Design Technology; Resistant Materials and Design Technology; Graphic Products at GCSE as well as AS and A2 Product Design. The show really was a special event which inspired all who attended. Well done to all the students for their creativity, hard work and commitment in their respective courses. I would also like to thank the DT teachers for supporting and guiding their students along the rocky road to success. The school motto states - SIC ITUR AD ASTRA… in this way you will reach the stars This year our DT students really did reach the stars Click here for images! Jalan Bellamy-Year 6 Visit Another successful visit to DT from the Yr6 students at Jalan Bellamy. Each student had a taste of what it is like to do DT@EP. The students experienced filing, drilling and heat forming techniques. They left with an acrylic fish and a few good ‘fishy’ memories of the visit. Click here for images! Outside Speaker Mian Ng Visit '08 Developing student awareness of a career in Art and Design Last Friday we were lucky enough to enjoy a visit from Mian Ng, Director of International and Academic Development, and a prominent fashion textiles tutor in the faculty of Art and Design at Bristol University, UK. Mian spent the day in the Design Technology department. She held a series of structured lectures to all Year 11 DT students raising awareness of a career in the Art and Design sector. She also held informal drop in sessions for older students who wanted to discuss courses and careers in Art and Design. In just a few hours Mian certainly inspired our students. The DT staff and members of the Senior Management Team were also able to gain information on future predictions regarding the growth of the Art and Design sector in Asia. We look forward to more of these visits in future. Sharianne Quirk - Presenter of Craft Based Activities EP – DT students recently saw another successful and deeply motivating craft based creativity session from Sharianne Quirk. Sharianne regularly visits the school to hold hour long sessions with the Year 10 and 11 Design Technology – Graphic Products students. Her sessions are an inspiration and give students a wider creative skills base to help communicate their design coursework. Click here for images! Todd Burton Visit Earlier in the year we were lucky enough to book a visit from Todd Burton, the Head of The Design Faculty at Bristol University. Todd Burton spent the day in the EP Design Department. He held a series of structured lectures to Years 10, 11, 12 & 13 Art and Design Technology students as well as more informal drop in sessions for anyone else who wanted to discuss courses and careers in the world of Art and Design. Mr. Burton also held a number of skills workshops teaching drawing, magic marker colour skills and other two dimensional forms of communication beyond what is required in KS4 & 5 courses. In just a few hours Todd Burton certainly inspired our students. He commented on the talent, enthusiasm and passion of them towards education and in particular the field of design. We look forward to more of these visits in future. Competitions Ultimate Frizzbee Competion Entry Sheet Publication Examples 2008 BattleBot – Robot Wars Challenge You are here : Secondary School > Faculties > Art, Design & Technology