Design & Technology

Design & Technology allows the student to acquire a whole range of knowledge and skills through investigation, designing, making and evaluating.

Design & Technology is part of the curriculum for all students, Year 8 through to Year 11. Students study D&T for 5 hours per fortnight in Key Stage 3 and 4

Design and Technology at Canons High School at Key Stage 3 is taught through four material areas:

• Resistant Materials
• Food Technology
• Textiles
• Graphic Products.
  

All students will visit these areas in Years 8 & 9.

KS4
Students choose to specialise in either:

• Resistant Materials
• Food Technology
• Textiles
• Graphic products
• Engineering Double Award.

Accommodation comprises 5 specialist well equipped areas with good facilities for CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) in all areas.

Resistant Materials
The design and fabrication of products, using a variety of materials such as wood, metal and plastics. The subject offers students an opportunity to develop practical skills in a controlled environment. Projects include:

• Year 8
  A steady hand game as an introduction to basic had tools and machines - requires a need for accuracy, function and aesthetics.
• Year 9
  The desk fan project allows students to plan and prioritise the construction of parts for a simple desk fan, giving a good introduction to basic CAD and CAM.
• Year 10/11
  Project work requires the student to identify needs and use problem solving through designing and making, using basic and developed skills and an ever widening tool and machine base.

Graphic Products
Students are taught to express their ideas through drawing and modelling in light materials. The use of CAD and CAM form and integral part of all projects:
 

• Year 8
  The MP3 project allows students to use their new drawing skills to develop designs for an MP3 player designing for a specific market, requiring them to research the need of the market  and model a 3D solution.
• Year 9
  A point of sale display for a cosmetic product requires students to brainstorm suitable names and aesthetics for a product whilst designing and making a suitable eye catching point of sale display.
• Year 10/11
  Students develop their design skills and understanding of the GCSE specification through a range of projects in Year 10 developing different graphic skills including CAD and CAM leading on to using their skills to present a single project for the examination coursework.

Food Technology
All students in Year 8 and 9 have the opportunity to participate in theoretical and practical food lessons. All projects in Year 8 and 9 focus on Healthy Eating and develop and understanding of the need for a healthy diet.
Year 10 and 11 allows students to develop there skills and knowledge further investigating bread, cakes, savoury and sweet dishes. Year 11 students choose a task and work through a variety of processes to develop a final product of marketable quality.

Textiles
Design & Technology, Textiles is the study and use of compliant materials, components and equipment to design make garments, accessories, furnishings and other textile products.
 

• Year 8
  Students learn to design and make a bag with appliqué design for a specific purpose using both hand and machine techniques.
• Year 9
  Students develop various designing skills to help them develop designs for a range of products based on famous artists work. A wide range of techniques are taught to realise the designs.
• Year 10/11
  Students develop further skills through Year 10 to enable them to develop a comprehensive design solution for their Year 11 examination coursework.

Engineering
GCSE in Engineering (Double Award).
Students produce engineered products using a wide range of tools, machinery, processes and materials, Allowing them to respond to a client's specification.
Students also need to be able to respond to a client's brief and, produce and interpret engineering drawings and model solutions.