Year 7 Curriculum

Within Year 7, all students study Food and Design & Technology (Mixed Materials/ Textiles). They begin by completing a baseline assessment. Once students have completed their baseline assessment, they rotate around to complete the following three units of learning

·         Design and Technology – Mixed Materials

·         Design and Technology – Textiles

·         Food and Nutrition

Students spend a term in each area.

Design and Technology

They work to explore and investigate their Contextual Challenges, to enable them to design and make a range of creative, innovative products made from a variety of materials including timber, polymers, metals, textiles and boards.

Students work to develop their skills of

·         Designing

·         Collaboration

·         Researching

·         Analysing

·         Evaluating

·         Investigating

·         Making

·         Leadership

·         Planning

·         Testing

·         Justifying

·         Exploring

Food and Nutrition

Students begin their exploration of food by following a scheme of learning that teaches them…

·         how to keep safe in the food workshops

·         how to produce food that is safe to each – food hygiene

·         the basics of a balanced diet

·         an introduction to nutritional science

·         how to successfully produce a wide range of nutritionally balanced products

Year 7 Assessment

In Year 7, the assessment framework is based on the following:

·         Practical – practical skills are assessed throughout each module

·         Theory – the theory work students complete within the classroom and for Home Learning is assessed

·         Knowledge – at the end of each rotation, students complete an exam to determine how much they have learnt

Year 8 Curriculum

The Year 8 Curriculum again enables students to rotate around the different department areas of

·         Design and Technology – Mixed Materials

·         Design and Technology – Textiles

·         Food and Nutrition

Students spend a term in each area.

Design and Technology

Students work to explore and investigate their Contextual Challenges, to enable them to design and make a range of creative, innovative products made from a variety of materials including timber, polymers, metals, textiles and boards.

Students work to develop their skills of

·         Designing

·         Collaboration

·         Researching

·         Analysing

·         Evaluating

·         Investigating

·         Making

·         Leadership

·         Planning

·         Testing

·         Justifying

·         Exploring

Food and Nutrition

Students continue their exploration of food by following a scheme of learning that teaches them…

·         a more in-depth knowledge of nutrition

·         about the different foods around the world

·         where certain foods come from

·         how to successfully plan and produce a wide range of nutritionally balanced products

Year 8 assessment

In Year 8, the assessment framework is based on the following:

·         Practical – practical skills are assessed throughout each module

·         Theory – the theory work students complete within the classroom and for Home Learning is assessed

·         Knowledge – at the end of each rotation, students complete an exam to determine how much they have learnt

GCSE Opportunities

Students can choose to study GCSEs in any of the different department areas...

• GCSE Design and Technology
• GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition

GCSE Design and Technology (AQA)

Year 9

Students complete a variety of mini iterative design tasks to develop their knowledge and understanding for the completion of the GCSE. The tasks are designed to prepare them for the completion of their NEA (non-exam assessment worth 50% of the course) and their examination.

Students work to explore and investigate a variety of Contextual Challenges including…

·         Portable Sound

·         Gadgets and Gizmos

·         Keeping organised

They then work to design and make a range of creative, innovative products made from a variety of materials including timber, polymers, metals, textiles and boards.

Year 9 assessment

In Year 9, the assessment framework is based on the following:

·         Practical – practical skills are assessed throughout each module

·         Theory – the theory work students complete within the classroom and for Home Learning is assessed

·         Knowledge – at the end of each half term, students complete an exam to determine how much they have learnt. These exams become more interleaved as the course progresses i.e. more of the topics covered are built into each exam.

Year 10

Students complete three mock NEAs (Non-Exam Assessments). The tasks are designed to prepare them for the completion of their Year 11 NEA (worth 50% of their final level) and their examination.

Students work to explore and investigate a variety of Contextual Challenges including…

·         Supporting UK Wildlife

·         Accessories for the Home

·         Sustainable Energy

They then work to design and make a range of creative, innovative products made from a variety of materials including timber, polymers, metals, textiles and boards.

Year 10 assessment

In Year 10, the assessment framework is based on the following:

·         Practical – practical skills are assessed throughout each module

·         Theory – the theory work students complete within the classroom and for Home Learning is assessed

·         Knowledge – at the end of each half term, students complete an exam to determine how much they have learnt

·         Practice NEAs – assessed in line with the requirements of the exam board - AQA

Year 11

Students complete their NEA (non-exam assessment worth 50% of the course) and prepare for their examination.  Students work to explore and investigate a variety of Contextual Challenges set by the exam board, these will be released to the students at the start of Year 11. They then work to design and make a creative, innovative product made from a variety of materials including timber, polymers, metals, textiles and boards. All work is assessed to meet the requirements set by the examination board - AQA.

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition (AQA)

Year 9

Students follow a scheme of learning that aims to develop their practical food skills alongside their knowledge and understanding of the five key aspects of the GCSE specification;

·         Food, nutrition and health

·         Food science

·         Food safety

·         Food choice

• Food provenance.

Year 9 Food assessment

In Year 9, the assessment framework is based on the following:

·         Practical – practical skills are assessed throughout the course with feedback given on a regular basis.

·         Theory – the theory work students complete within the classroom and for Home Learning is assessed through self-assessment; peer-assessment and various teacher methods.

·         Knowledge – at the end of each unit of work students complete a test. These exams become more interleaved as the course progresses i.e. more of the topics covered are built into each exam.

Year 10

Students follow a scheme of learning that aims to develop their knowledge of food. This is the year when the students achieve the learning they will need to meet the requirements of the examination. They will also use this knowledge to complete their NEAs in Year 11. There is also an opportunity at the end of the year to practise the NEAs in preparation for Year 11.

Year 10 Food assessment

In Year 10, the assessment framework is based on the following:

·         Practical – practical skills are assessed throughout the course. The students must develop skills in 12 key areas

·         Theory – the theory work students complete within the classroom and for Home Learning is assessed through self-assessment; peer-assessment and various teacher methods.

·         Knowledge – At the end of each unit of work, students will complete a test. These exams become more interleaved as the course progress i.e. more of the topics covered are built into each exam.

·         Practice NEAs are assessed in line with the requirements of the exam board

Year 11

Students complete their NEAs (non-exam assessment worth 50% of the course) and prepare for their examination.  Students work to research and investigate a variety of NEA topics set by the exam board, these are released to the students at the start of Year 11. All work is assessed as required by the examination board - AQA.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Food

Oct ½ term to Christmas – Christmas cake afterschool club with Mrs King.

Design Technology Support

Tuesdays before school (from 8am), our Year 11 students are welcome to work with the staff to further develop their evidence for the attainment of their NEA.

Performance Faculty Subjects