Head of Department: Mrs Higham
Telephone: 01344 423041 ext 330
Email: shigham@brakenhale.bracknell-forest.sch.uk

Aims

Our aim is to provide a quality education, which develops student capability through the designing and making of quality products.

To encourage students to reach their potential in public exams.

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Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, all students study Design and Technology for 2 hours a week, on a 9 week rotation through the areas of: Food, Graphics, Resistant Materials and Textiles.

Year 7

• Food - Healthy Eating
• Graphics - Special Occasions
• Resistant Materials - Signs
• Textiles - Recycled Denim

The pupils will learn;

• Introduction to research techniques
• Introduction to designing skills
• Introduction to planning for the making of the products
• Introduction to practical skills within the four areas
• Evaluation, testing and assessment

Year 8

• Food - Biscuit making
• Graphic - Pen project
• Resistant Materials - Wheeled Toys
• Textiles - Kites

To develop the existing skills learnt in Year 7.

The pupils will learn;

• How to design and create biscuits with emphasis on modification
• How to develop drawing techniques in cross-sectional and 2 D forms
• How to produce a pen, using standard components and their own designs in a workshop situation
• How to work with new materials and produce high quality wheeled toys
• How to use templates to produce a 3D object
• How to design and produce an aerodynamic form (Kite)

Year 9

• Food - Multicultural products
• Graphics - Packaging project
• Resistant Materials - Jewellery Box
• Textiles - Tie project

To prepare students to choose an option in the Design and Technology area for Year 10, pupils will learn how to work with a variety of different materials and techniques, for example:

• fabric decorative techniques
• routing techniques
• creating nets for packaging
• the investigation and design/making of multi-cultural food products

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Key Stage 4

Students follow the GCSE AQA Deign and Technology courses, within the four subject areas. The grade is awarded as follows:

40%      2 tier theory exam (higher foundation)

60%      Coursework

The students are encouraged to develop their skills in their chosen option, throughout the two year period.

In year 10, students are taught through structured projects the necessary skills for them develop their independent learning to be used for their coursework project in year 11.

Lesson time allocation: 3 lessons x 60 minutes per week

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Post 16

Students follow the AQA ‘A’ course and will be examined in the summer of each academic year.

AS
Courses available in product design, either 3D or Textiles. This consists of 3 units: a coursework portfolio and two exams.

A2
Courses available in product design, either 3D or Textiles. This consists of 3 units: a product study, coursework and one exam.

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Other Information

All staff are available for help and support after school.