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INTRODUCTION

The Design and Technology Department at Abbs Cross encompasses Product Design (AQA Design Technology) and Food Preparation and Nutrition (WJEC).

The aim of The Design and Technology department is to offer students the opportunity to explore   through a variety of creative and practical activities which foster a love of learning and an enquiring mind. Students are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the process of designing and making.

The subject focuses on generating and developing design ideas, mechanisms, structures, electronics and computer aided design (CAD) and manufacture (CAM). These skills are promoted alongside the more traditional skills of realisation in wood, metal and plastic.

Our students learn to use current technologies which provide a clear link to industrial manufacturing processes. This insight into the application of Design Technology in today’s workplace offers students a clear understanding of future career paths relating to the subject, and helps to contextualise their learning.

Food Preparation and Nutrition equips learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of food science and healthy eating. It encourages learners to make informed decisions about nutrition now and later in life. The subject also allows pupils to experience foods that they may not have come across outside of school.

KS3

Design and Technology

When?

Aut Term 1

Aut Term 2

Spr Term 1

Spr Term 2

Sum Term 1

Sum Term 2

Year 7

Presentation Skills

LED torch Project

Maze Game Project

 

 

 

 

Year 8

Night Light Project

Night Light Project

Structures Project

 

 

 

Year 9

Steady Hand Game Project

Steady Hand Game Project

Steady Hand Game Project

 

 

 

Food and Nutrition:

Food Preparation and Nutrition equips learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of healthy eating.

All lessons encourage learners to make informed decisions about nutrition now and later in life giving them an insight on healthy dishes, alternative ingredients and a variety of cuisines to broaden their knowledge of different foods.

The subject also encourages pupils to prepare quick and healthy dishes that they may not have the confidence to prepare at home, providing them with lifelong cooking skills. Our students learn to use a variety of equipment, having an understanding of how and why they are used within the kitchen.

When?

Aut Term 1

Aut Term 2

Spr Term 1

Year 7

health and safety, hygiene rules

and healthy eating

Cool School Meals

Cool school meals

(nutrition and healthy

meals for teenagers)

Year 8

Come dine with me

(learning the bases of a

meal and presentation)

Come dine with me

(learning the bases of

a meal and presentation)

Egg Theory - use,

structure and

composition

Year 9

Individuals needs task -

meals planned and made

for specific individuals

individuals need task -

meals planned and made

for specific individuals

Cultural foods different foods

eaten by different cultures.

Learning faiths and beliefs

 

Food Preparation and Nutrition (KS4)

(WJEC)

The specification is designed to increase students’ knowledge and understanding of the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating. Coursework consists of TWO internally assessed practical tasks that account for 50% of the overall grade. The final examination accounts for 50% of the overall grade.

Examination

At Key Stage 4 all students will study and complete the WJEC syllabus which comprises of two coursework pieces and one written exam.

Unit 1: Principles of Food Preparation and Nutrition – Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes 50% of the qualification.

There is one exam paper that will be externally set and marked. All questions are compulsory and targeted at the full range of GCSE grades. The paper will contain short-answer, structured and free response questions drawn from the catering specification

Unit 2Food Preparation and Nutrition in Action

Assessment 1: The Food Investigation Assessment – 15% of total qualification

A Food Investigation that will include the research and planning of the task, investigate the working characteristics, function and chemical properties of ingredients through practical experimentation and use the findings to achieve a particular result. Analyse and evaluate the task and produce a report which evidences all of the above.

Assessment 2The Food Preparation Assessment – 35% of total qualification

This assessment assesses the application of knowledge and understanding in relation to selecting dishes and identifying cooking skills/techniques and the execution of practical skills. This assessment will require learners to plan, prepare, cook and present a selection of dishes, to meet particular requirements such as a dietary need, lifestyle choice or specific context.

Assessment 2The Food Preparation Assessment – 35% of total qualification

This assessment assesses the application of knowledge and understanding in relation to selecting dishes and identifying cooking skills/techniques and the execution of practical skills. This assessment will require learners to plan, prepare, cook and present a selection of dishes, to meet particular requirements such as a dietary need, lifestyle choice or specific context.

Half Term

Aut Term 1

Aut Term 2

Spr Term 1

Spr Term 2

Sum Term 1

Sum Term 2

Year 10

Health and safety,

fruit and vegetables food commodity,

introduction to food investigations

Milk, cheese and yoghurt

food commodity, cereal

food commodity

Special dietary requirements,

basic mixtures, science of

food and spoilage

Provenance, storage,

waste and choice factors.

NEA assessment 1 focus

and practice

meat, beans and

butter food commodities

Mock NEA and exam,

NEA assessment 1 focus

Year 11

NEA

NEA

NEA

 Revision

Revision

 

Homework

Students will be expected to complete an evaluation for every practical that they perform and also answer practice exam questions, some of which will be extended pieces of writing, that are linked to the theory being taught. The pupils are also expected to bring their ingredients as part of their homework, to allow them to participate in the practical lesson.

Future Careers

Apart from gaining a solid knowledge and range of cooking skills, Students will have the opportunity to progress into careers in Restaurants; Health & social care; Catering and Events.

Design and Technology (KS4)

(AQA)

The GCSE Design and Technology specification sets out the knowledge, understanding and skills required to undertake the iterative design process of exploring, creating and evaluating. Students will be involved in designing and making activities using resistant materials, textiles and electronics. Final assessment is based on a controlled assessment project and an accompanying design folio, as set by the examination board.

Examination

Written paper             50%

Coursework project    50%

Half Term

Aut Term 1

Aut Term 2

Spr Term 1

Spr Term 2

Sum Term 1

Sum Term 2

Year 10

Automation & Production in industry

Market pull & push

Sustainability

Renewable material, ethics & energy

Systems & motion

Smart & modern materials

Material Properties

Material Properties

ACCESS FM

Designing: Sketch & Model

6R's

Properties of materials

Stock & Size of materials

Tools, equipment and processes

Cutting & Forming of materials

Cutting & Forming of materials

Quality control

Surface finish of materials

Surface finish of materials

Forces and Reinforcing

Designers & Design companies

Generating design ideas

Market research

Writing design briefs

Writing design specifications

Types of technical drawings

computer based tools

Materials & Costing

Cutting, Shaping & Forming

Tools and tool safety

Surface finishing

Machinery

Specialist techniques

Changing properties of materials

Scale of production

Commercial Processes

NEA - beginning research

NEA

Year 11

NEA

NEA

NEA

 

Revision

 

Homework

Homework sheets on coursework content.

Project related work, e.g. investigations, research, analysis etc.

Future Careers

Design and Technology paves a solid path to further education in all aspects of design. Students who have studied Design Technology have gone on to pursue careers in fashion design, product design, graphic design and Engineering.

GCSE Results 2022

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 

  • 70% grades 9-4 in Design and Technology
  • 66% grades 9-4 in Food 
  • 100% grades 9-4 in Construction

GCSE Results 2023

Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 

  • 86.7% grades 9-4 in Design and Technology
  • 54.5% grades 9-4 in Food 

Extra-Curricular/Clubs

  • We aim to promote challenge both in lessons and with extra-curricular activities. The provision of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths club (STEM) club offers students the opportunity to extend their cross curricular learning and promotes progress across the ability range.
  • Airgineers is a STEM drone Challenge for secondary school age students. As part of the Challenge, students design, build and learn to fly drones in two different classes – Micro and 3S. The drones in the Micro class are smaller and designed for use indoors, while the 3S drone is a high-speed, high performance racing UAV built for high speed flying against other drones outdoors. Students taking part in Airgineers are required to complete the unassembled kit kit, 3D prining the necessary frame components, soldering the electronics and programming the flight controllers.
  • H/W will be timetabled on Google classroom for all years

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