Technology

Design and Technology Department intent

The department curriculum is structured to engage and inspire students right from the start in year 7. We teach through practical the knowledge that they will need in a way so that they will remember. We supply a wide range of different projects that all student will work their way through. During this learning journey they will learn all the materials knowledge needed to establish them as strong design students.

Having assessed our feeder primary schools we know that our year seven intake will have a broad range of different experiences in design technology. It is our aim to forge strong links with the existing learning we know takes place before they come to us. We make strong links throughout our projects with many other subject areas. We include all students no matter of their background. Everyone has access to a quality designing experience at Sidmouth College. All staff want their students to enjoy the lessons, learn at the same time and benefit from that feeling of success. We want that feeling to stay in the memory and help inspire them to even more creativity.

The learning journeys in KS3 help us prepare those vital research, designing and communication skills at the same time as preparing them for their choices in year nine and GCSE. This allows us to really hone their knowledge on manufacturing techniques and materials properties. We concentrate on growing student who understand the iterative design process and what they can get out of it as a designer. They will learn what success feels like at GCSE and then have the potential to continue that study at A level. We want them to gain an opinion about what they are learning and be able to argue their point based on evidence.
Praise is our ‘middle name’. We find it motivates all of our students when it is due. This is often reflected by students who are trying to work on other subject problems. Students will make natural connections from one subject to another and ask for assistance in school projects and outside life which we enjoy helping them with.
​

Food and Nutrition Department Intent

Food is a vital part of our daily lives and is essential for life. As our students become adults and have busy lives, it is easy to choose food which has been ready prepared. However, it is more nutritious and often cheaper to cook simple, delicious food.  At Sidmouth College, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of nutrition, healthy eating, food preparation, hygiene, cooking techniques, and sensory characteristics.
  

Key stage 3

Throughout KS3 students develop the essential Design and Technology skills of designing, making and evaluation while acquiring technical knowledge. Students in year 7,8 and 9 spend a term and a half studying Food or Design Technology, then rotate the second part of the school year. Over the course of the 3 year period they will visit each area once a year.

What do students study?
In Design Technology students are introduced to a large variety of workshop skills using the Resistant Materials such as wood, metal and plastics. The projects are comprised of a combination of electronics, mechanisms and structures. These projects are finished using the presentation techniques.  Students complete a range of different projects which are of quality finish and function.  Computer Aided Design CAD/CAM, is also explored in technology and students are encouraged to use Iterative Design, the process of constant evolution and improvement, when solving design problems.  This is a broad and varied course equipping students with the core skills to follow GCSE Design Technology in KS4.
 
Food is an exciting and rewarding subject. Students learn how to select a nutritious diet and achieve a healthy lifestyle in line with current government guidelines.  At the same time, they will learn the skills which will enable them to make a wide range of delicious dishes.  They will also acquire an understanding of food safety and hygiene, how to prepare, cook and present dishes and these are valuable lessons which they will use throughout their lives. This course prepares students for the GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition option in KS4.  Dishes produced include:

​Year 7: Fruit salad, Scones, Apple Crumble, Soup, Pasta Bake, Healthy Breakfast Muffins.
Year 8: Bread, Pizza, Chilli con carne, Pasties, Cheesecake, Quiche Swiss roll, Fish Cakes.
Year 9: Chicken curry, Risotto, Bakewell tart, Lasagne, Choux pastry, Lemon meringue pie.

How are students assessed?
In Key Stage 3 students are assessed on their practical capabilities as well as their knowledge and understanding of the materials and processes used in each area. Assessment is done throughout the course using teacher, peer and self-assessment.  There are many assessment opportunities throughout each term and summative grades are collected twice during each term/project.  Students should always be able to articulate their current rate of progress and, more importantly, what they must do to further improve and progress.
When designing and making students are assessed in their ability to design, make, evaluate and in their technical knowledge.

Food and Nutrition Assessment

Design Technology Assessment

Key stage 4

Design and Technology

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
GCSE Design and Technology will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise.
 
This course allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. They will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth. This course has 50 per cent non—exam assessment (coursework) in order to recognise the importance of practical work within this subject.
 
EXAM BOARD, COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT DETAILS
 
AQA GCSE Design & Technology
 
Written Paper - 50% of total marks - 2 hours - 100 marks

• Section A – Core technical principles (20 marks) A mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions assessing a breadth of technical knowledge and understanding.
• Section B – Specialist technical principles (30 marks) Several short answer questions (2–5 marks) and one extended response to assess a more in depth knowledge of technical principles.
•  Section C – Designing and making principles (50 marks)​ A mixture of short answer and extended response questions including a 12 mark design question.

 
Plus: 

• Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) - 50% of the total marks—100 marks
• Substantial Design and Make Task (30-35 hours)
• Assessment criteria: Investigating, Designing, Making, Analysing and Evaluating
• Students will produce a working prototype and a portfolio of evidence (max 20 pages)

 
WHAT CAN THIS COURSE LEAD TO POST 16?
A range of A Level Design & Technology courses or a wide range of apprenticeships
 
Skills that will be useful to you in the future include;
Time management, problem solving, idea generation, practical skills, making a concept in to a real outcome, research and analysis skills
 
FOR WHAT CAREERS WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL?
Industrial Design
Automotive Design
Model Making
Ergonomics
Furniture Design
Cabinet Making 
Engineering
Architecture
Carpentry
Construction
Project Management
Product Design

---

Food Preparation and Nutrition 

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR? 
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition is a new course designed to equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating.  It encourages students to cook, enables them to make informed decisions about food and nutrition and allows them to acquire knowledge in order to able to feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously, now and in later life.
 
Practical work will be carried out most weeks and is used to complement theory lessons, and enhance the learning skill.
 
It is suitable for any student who has an interest in food; whether they wish a career in this area, or enjoy cooking and want to learn more.
 
EXAM BOARD, COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT DETAILS
 
Eduqas (formerly WJEC) GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
 
Component 1: Principles of Food Preparation and Nutrition
 

• One written exam accounts for 50% of the final grade covering the areas of study:
• Food commodities – different foods, ingredients, processes and techniques
• Principles of Nutrition
• Understand about diet and good health
• The Science of food
• Where food comes from
• Cooking and food preparation – develop practical cooking skills

 
Component 2- Food Preparation and Nutrition in Action
 
Two coursework / non examination practical assessments
 
Assessment 1 – The Food Investigation Assessment (15%)
 
This piece of work requires students to investigate and evaluate the working characteristics, functional and chemical properties of ingredients creating a report setting out their findings.
 
Assessment 2 – The Food Preparation Assessment (35%)
 
This piece of work requires students to plan, prepare, cook and present a selection of dishes to meet particular requirements such as dietary need or lifestyle choice
 
Please be aware that students carry out practical work on a regular basis, for which they are expected to provide their own resources.  
 
WHAT CAN THIS COURSE LEAD TO POST 16?
Diploma in Food Science and Nutrition Level 3 as well as complementing other subjects such as sport science, health or food and hospitality courses or apprenticeships.
 
FOR WHAT CAREERS WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL?
Hospitality and catering is a growing sector of the jobs market and there are numerous opportunities within this industry from retail, hotel work, chef etc. This course can open opportunities to study catering to BTEC or degree level, or undertake an apprenticeship in a variety of local establishments.
​