Design & Technology at Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3 all students experience a mix of Food Technology, Graphics and Resistant Materials. Students have a double lesson each week in which they work through a series of projects which look to develop their understanding of materials and processes. Projects are delivered in contexts which are engaging and easy for students to relate to. We look at the world around us and the products we use everyday and link this to commercial and industrial practice. As a practical subject much of the work is hands on as we feel the students learn so much more from getting involved in design and make projects which develop their skills and understanding. All of the projects we deliver look to foster progression and introduce new concepts. Each year we try to vary the range of projects we offer so that individual skills are focused on at different points in the Key Stage. Design development is obviously a crucial element of our subject and to support this we focus on students communications skills by using a wide range of methodology. Sketching, annotation, modelling, design development, photography, and Computer Aided Design (CAD) are some of the ways in which students present their work.