Students in KS3 have three hours of Technology over the two week timetable. Three disciplines are offered- Food, Resistant Materials and Textiles and groups rotate so that students spend one third of each year in both Y7 and Y8 on each specialism.

Resistant Materials

Students complete one project each year.  They are given a brief and work is structured to incorporate the four stages in design process as follows:

• Researching and Analysing existing products
• Investigating customer preferences through market research
• Developing and Designing Ideas suitable products based on their findings
• Making and Evaluating an appropriate final product which satisfies the brief and demonstrates a degree of competency with the selection and use of technology equipment and processes.

Curriculum Content

Year 7

To design and make a flat pack product to be marketed through branches of a high street accessory shop.  They learn to operate machinery and use hand tools and about Health and Safety considerations in the workshop.

Year 8

Building and reinforcing the skills learnt in Y7, students go on to work in a wider range of materials including acrylic and metal, to produced more refined products.  They are divided into teams which are required to set up a mini businesses, which design and make costume jewellery in retail on line and at craft markets.  At the end of each rotation the groups compete in a Dragon’s Den style event, where they pitch their business plans and present their prototype products.