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Year 7

Design and Technology

In the twenty-first century, pupils face a rapidly evolving world with challenges such as energy and material shortages, climate change, and overpopulation. The Design and Technology curriculum aims to prepare students for this uncertain future by equipping them with essential knowledge and skills for success in the technological age.

Through this curriculum, pupils will develop a broad range of problem-solving, mathematical, and technical skills, all grounded in a deep understanding of materials, components, and systems. They will explore the processes and reasons behind product manufacturing, learning from the achievements and failures of past and present designers. A significant emphasis is placed on the environmental impacts of design, as well as the importance of meeting the diverse needs of consumers, including inclusive design considerations for individuals with disabilities and various cultural backgrounds. The curriculum also prioritises the development of resilience, collaboration, and teamwork, ensuring that pupils are well-prepared to face the demands of modern society.

Key Stage 3 Overview -The Design and Technology curriculum introduces pupils to problem-solving through hands-on practical skills. They will build a foundational understanding of materials, components, systems, and processes, enabling them to create functional prototypes to address various challenges. As pupils progress, the complexity of the problems they tackle increases, requiring deeper knowledge of materials, systems, processes, and their environmental impacts.

 

Content to be studied

 

Method of assessment

Mechanical Principles and Material Performance: Photo Clip
  • Basic mechanical principles
  • Exploration of material performance
  • Use of hand tools and equipment

 

Self, peer and teacher marking throughout the series of lessons.

Summative assessment.

Practical Skills and Material Applications: USB-Powered Adjustable Lamp
  • Practical skills in working with timbers and polymers
  • Understanding material applications
  • Basic electronics

 

Self, peer and teacher marking throughout the series of lessons.

Summative assessment.

Electromechanical Systems and Programming
  • Programming
  • Understanding electromechanical systems and control
  • Identifying electronic components

 

Self, peer and teacher marking throughout the series of lessons.

Summative assessment.

Collaborative batch production: Celebratory food product & packaging
  • Exploration of the role of food during times of celebration
  • Working as part of a team to produce a food product & packaging based on a celebration
  • Understanding of batch production and quality control

Self, peer and teacher marking throughout the series of lessons.

Summative assessment.

Cooking and Nutrition
  • Understanding food origins
  • Safe and hygienic cooking practices
  • Applying knowledge of healthy eating

 

Self, peer and teacher marking throughout the series of lessons.

There is an end-of-unit assessment during the final lesson of the series
   

 

How will I know if my daughter is achieving this?

As with all Key Stage 3 subjects; developing, secure and excellent grades are given for assessments. In addition to the summative assessments, your daughter will be assessed on her technical knowledge, as well as her ongoing creative/practical work. Feedback can be found in the booklet that she uses.

Your daughter will receive regular feedback on her work, and she will have the opportunity to reflect on this and ensure she makes further progress. If she is struggling with any of the concepts, then she will receive additional support in lessons and may be invited to some additional sessions at lunch time.
 
 

How can I help my daughter?

You can help your daughter by encouraging the use of the VLE. The Product Design VLE is full of useful resources, including, documents, videos and animations. Your daughter is encouraged to use the search function at the top right of the page to search any topics she is unsure of, or as part of her homework tasks. There are a number of other websites that are useful, that will support your daughter:

Please encourage your daughter to complete ‘excellence’ tasks, which feature in lessons and in homework. These tasks are designed to extend her thinking and stretch and challenge her.
 
 

Enrichment Opportunities

STEM Club is an excellent opportunity for your daughter to work with other pupils on activities and competitions relating to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Design and Technology as a subject encompasses all four of these, therefore if your daughter enjoys the subject, she should get involved in any STEM activity she can, both inside and outside of school. There are often extra-curricular D&T activities that your daughter can get involved in. Watching ‘How It’s Made’ on TV or YouTube is a great way of seeing manufacture in action, it gives a much greater understanding of the scale involved in making a range of different products as well as exploring individual processes.

The Smallpeice Trust is a charitable organisation that aims to increase the number of young people entering engineering-based careers. They offer a range of residential visits from Year 8 endorsed by the school which may be of interest. http://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk. Looking ahead, your daughter could apply for an Arkwright Scholarship in Year 11, a prestigious award that is recognised by many universities and top employers in the field of engineering. Upton supports Year 11 pupils with all aspects of the application and interview process. http://www.arkwright.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Design and Technology Curriculum Progression Y7
    PDF File

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