Design Technology

The Design and Technology department at Heckmondwike Grammar School consists of two main subject areas:

  • Design and Technology – (including; Electronics/ Graphic Design/ Product Design/ Resistant Materials)
  • Food Preparation and Nutrition

Our aim is to provide a rich and diverse experience of each subject that engages and challenges student creativity and technical understanding in a wide range of material areas. We are lucky to have an exceptionally wide range of resources that enable students to push their imaginations and produce extremely high quality products.

Key Stage 3

We operate a carousel rotation system in KS3 Design and Technology with students completing a range of projects with specialist teaching staff in subject specific rooms  –  Please note that the order of projects will vary depending on staffing/ student groups.

During key stage 3 students learn a wide range of skills and practical processes linked to a variety of material specialisms. This is achieved by using contextual design briefs that require students to follow an iterative design process to develop and refine functional user focused products. A degree of flexibility within each project enables independent enquiry and personalisation of learning. Students thrive in Design and Technology at Heckmondwike Grammar School and often enjoy applying their knowledge from Mathematics and Science to develop technical and creative products.

Key Stage 4

Design and Technology is a popular option choice at KS4 level with students given the opportunity to study:

  • GCSE Design and Technology – Graphics Material Specialism
  • GCSE Design and Technology – Resistant Materials Material Specialism
  • GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition

Each of our subject specialisms build upon key areas of study at Key Stage 3 with students developing their knowledge and understanding of materials and manufacturing techniques to a more advanced level.

GCSE Design and Technology – Graphics or Resistant Materials

In GCSE Design and Technology students complete a range of mini projects that focus on developing their sketching and presentation techniques, 3D modelling techniques and rapid prototyping using CAD/CAM. Students will then go onto complete a major project in their chosen subject area of either Graphics or Resistant Materials. As students follow the same OCR GCSE specification there are no limitations to the materials or processes that students can use with students free to follow their particular strengths in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. GCSE Design and Technology is an exciting subject that challenges students to think like a designer by completing a variety of contextual projects.

Why study Design and Technology?

  • The course lays the foundation for further study in the Design/ Engineering/ Creative industries.
  • Students will use develop a thorough awareness of industry standard software such as the Adobe Creative suite (Illustrator/ Photoshop) and Solidworks.
  • Students will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of practical skills that develop and refine manual dexterity, skills frequently required in the dental and medical industries.
  • The course develops the ability to think creatively to produce innovative concepts that solve real world problems .

What will it be like?

GCSE Design and Technology – Resistant Materials

Year 10 in Resistant Materials is focussed on developing the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to complete GCSE coursework successfully.

Students will start Year 10 by completing a number of mini design projects that may include:

  • Promotional thermometer
  • Arduino programmable control
  • Buggy project
  • Solidworks CAD modelling
  • Timber based project
  • Polymer based project

Year 11 is concerned with completing coursework (50% of the final GCSE) that includes a design portfolio and a manufactured item. The remainder of the year is spent preparing for the examination (50% of the GCSE)

Project work can be undertaken within a variety of areas, some of which are listed below:

  • Engineering projects
  • Wildlife project
  • Sustainability project
  • Education toys

GCSE Design and Technology – Graphics

Year 10 in Graphics is focused on developing theoretical knowledge and understanding of graphics whilst learning and refining the skills needed to complete GCSE coursework successfully.

Students will start Year 10 by completing a number of mini design projects that may include:

  • Promotional thermometer
  • Arduino programmable control
  • Buggy project
  • Solidworks CAD modelling
  • Packaging design
  • Paper engineering and pop up mechanisms

In Year 11, all students will complete a major project as part of controlled assessment that is worth 50% of the final GCSE grade. The project will require students to follow an iterative design process in order to produce a final concept prototype in response to the design challenge.  As part of their projects, students will be required to:

  • Conduct research using appropriate sources of knowledge including product analysis
  • Generate and develop appropriate design ideas
  • Evaluate the success of their design against the consumers’ needs

Project work can be undertaken within a variety of areas, some of which are listed below:

  • Promotional merchandise
  • Packaging design
  • Design for public spaces
  • Meeting the needs of the elderly

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition

In GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition students will complete a wide range of practical based investigations to explore and develop their knowledge and understanding of food ingredients and their properties. Teaching and learning is structured with a focus on developing practical cooking skills that give students a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. Students follow the AQA GCSE specification which builds upon the knowledge and understanding gained at KS3.

Why study Food Preparation and Nutrition

 The course lays the foundation for further study in the Food/ Food Science/ Catering industries

  • Students will develop their scientific understanding of nutrition and food ingredients
  • Students will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of practical cooking skills
  • The course will develops the ability to think creatively to produce innovative food products through focused investigations

What will it be like?

Y10 in Food Preparation and Nutrition is focussed on developing the practical skills and theoretical knowledge and understanding needed to complete GCSE coursework successfully.

Students will focus on the five key areas of content a outlined in the AQA GCSE specification:

  • Food, nutrition and health
  • Food science
  • Food safety
  • Food choice
  • Food provenance

The range of food and ingredients studied will reflect the recommended guidelines for a healthy diet based on the main food commodity groups:

  • Bread, cereals, flour, oats, rice, potatoes and pasta
  • Fruit and vegetables (fresh, frozen, dried, canned and juiced)
  • Milk, cheese and yoghurt
  • Meat, fish, eggs, soya, tofu, beans, nuts and seeds
  • Butter, oil, margarine, sugar and syrup.

Assessment will be in the form of a written paper (50%) and two controlled assessment tasks (50%). The coursework will involve a food investigation (15%) where students write a report on their understanding of the scientific principles that underpin the preparation and cooking of food. Task 2 is a Food preparation assessment (35%) Students will plan, prepare, cook and present a three course menu within 3 hours.

Key Stage 5 Design and Technology – Product Design

Students can further expand and develop their expertise in Design and Technology at Key Stage 5 by studying our A Level Design and Technology – Product Design.

The A level Product Design course provides students with a thorough understanding of current design theory and practice, developing the skills needed to design and develop innovative and usable products. An element of flexibility within each project enables students to specialise in their areas of interest (i.e. Graphics or Resistant Materials) with previous projects including a wind tunnel for aeronautical engineering and medical equipment design.

 Why study A Level Design and Technology – Product Design

Product Design is a stimulating subject that challenges students to apply their theoretical knowledge and understanding of design and engineering to generate creative and innovative ideas and concepts. Many of our students also choose to study A Level Mathematics and Physics with the intention of pursuing a career in the expanding STEM industries.  Potential career opportunities include:

  • Product Design
  • Architecture
  • Engineering
  • Graphic Design
  • Manufacturing
  • Advertising/ Marketing
  • Brand Identity
  • Planning
  • Civil and Structural Design/ Engineering

What will it be like?

A Level Design and Technology – Product Design

In Year 12 Students will complete a range of focused practical tasks and extended learning projects that will help students develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to maximize their success in Year 13. Students start the year by completing a furniture project based on the Allermuir furniture company. This project will challenge students to design and model a range of products, whilst developing their knowledge and understanding of natural timber and man-made boards. Students will then complete a number of smaller mini projects that will develop their practical skills and ability whilst broadening their subject knowledge of materials and industrial manufacturing techniques. Following this, students will complete a lighting project that will solve a specific design problem in response to the design brief. This project will allow students to investigate and develop a lighting product for any application!

In Year 13 students design and develop a marketable product of their choice in response

to a specific design problem. Students are free to specialise in their specific area of interest or expertise (i.e. Engineering, Graphics & Resistant Materials). Previous projects have included a scale wind tunnel, a wakeboarding training aid and a dental sanitisation machine.

As part of the major project students complete an E-Portfolio design folder that evidences a single, substantial designing and making activity in association with a final concept model.

At the end of Year 13 students sit a final examination that consists of two components; Principles of Product Design and Problem Solving in Product Design. In both examinations students answer questions that cover the technical principles covered during the course.

Key Stage 5 Course Information – Design Technology