Technology

Introduction

Design and Technology (D&T) is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which prepares all young people to live and work in the designed and made world. It provides opportunities for students to develop their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding, in order to create their own quality products.

We encourage students to be self-motivated, creative and innovative. Our workshops and classrooms are always a hive of activity with students using their time at lunch and after school to work on their projects!

Key Stage 3

During Key Stage 3, students work through a variety of creative projects allowing steady progression in designing, making, evaluating and technical knowledge. We aim to provide our students with the essential abilities to be able to independently design and manufacture items and products using a wide variety of materials, ingredients and processes.

Pupils develop their understanding of designing and making by investigating products and finding out about the work of professional designers and manufacturing industries. They use computers, including computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) as part of the design and making process, whilst drawing on knowledge and understanding from other areas of the curriculum.

The courses cover many areas, including design strategies and concepts, product analysis, manufacturing processes, materials, components, systems and control, procedures and safety, aesthetics, computer graphics, computer aided design, Photoshop, ergonomics, environmental, cultural and social issues.

The D&T Faculty has devised KS3 threshold descriptors to track and monitor each student’s learning and progression.

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4, D&T students are taught in mixed ability groups of up to 20 individuals.

Students are encouraged to develop an awareness of the nature and significant importance of design and technology in a rapidly changing society, and enable them to design and make products with creativity and originality in a variety of practical activities. They will continue to become independent learners while furthering their experience of analysing, decision-making, designing and making.

Students studying Design & Technology will follow the iterative design process to design, model and make products using a range of resistant materials and new technologies

Our courses are particularly suited to those who are creative, imaginative and analytical problem solvers, and who can show initiative and work independently to design and make high quality products. All choices enable students to gain a wider knowledge of related manufacturing processes and they will learn about a range of designers, smart materials and CAD/CAM.

Internal assessments take place every half term and the progress of our students is closely monitored. Assessment is ongoing and D&T staff offer written and verbal feedback to enhance independent progression. Target grades are routinely shared with students to enable them to develop their skills and aim high!

Revision sessions are held in the lead up to the terminal exams in year 11, and an intervention programme for those students not on track to attain their target grade begins in the final half term of year 10.

The AQA Exam Board is followed for GCSE Design & Technology.

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/gcse/design-and-technology-8552

Key Stage 5

Product Design

A Level Product Design courses at Chancellor’s are challenging and successful and very popular with students.

Product Design encompasses a wide range of design disciplines but is firmly rooted in the skills required to design and make high quality products that are fit for purpose, satisfy wants and needs, enhance our day-to-day lives and, most importantly, provide an opportunity to demonstrate design and technology capability.

The qualification places emphasis on two key factors: creativity and sustainability, and pupils are encouraged to explore ideas of originality, to question and challenge, envisage what could be attained and achieve results that will progress their careers. Many pupils continue to study design at university, with Architecture and Product Design being very popular choices.

What will I be studying? 

At Chancellor's we offer OCR Product Design (Design & Technology), a very popular and successful A Level that has been taught for many years.  You will develop your skills in using workshop tools and equipment and CAD/CAM.  You will develop your designing ability to enable you to communicate your ideas with flair & sophistication.  The iterative design project (NEA/50%) is your choice with projects that include:
contemporary furniture, passive acoustic speakers, architectural modelling, Engineering including Electronics (robotic based/alarms systems) and Mechanics (robotics, vehicle).

The OCR Exam Board is followed for both A Level Product Design

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/design-and-technology-h004-h006-h404-h406-from-2017/

Extra-Curricular

We offer the students several extracurricular opportunities within Design and Technology including the Rotary Technology tournament and Design Ventura challenge.  At KS5 we also take our students to the Design Museum and also visit some of the high rise buildings within the city of London.  

Useful Websites

www.technologystudent.com

redruthproductdesign.wordpress.com

https://www.senecalearning.com/

https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zvg4d2p

Introduction

Food and Nutrition

During Food and Nutrition classes, pupils will learn where food comes from, how to cook a range of healthy dishes safely and hygienically and to apply their knowledge of nutrition. We aim to instil a passion for food, a love of cooking and a thorough knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating.

Key Stage 3

Cooking and Nutrition

In Key Stage 3, students will develop their understanding of ‘The Eatwell Guide’ and the relationship between nutrition and health. Pupils will learn how to safely and hygienically cook a repertoire of predominantly savoury dishes so that they are able to feed themselves and others a healthy and varied diet.

We aim for pupils to become competent in a range of cooking techniques, for example: selecting and preparing ingredients; using utensils and electrical equipment; applying heat in different ways; using awareness of taste, texture and smell to decide how to season dishes and combine ingredients. Pupils will learn how to adapt recipes to ensure they meet healthy eating criteria and the needs of a range of special dietary needs. Pupils will gain an understanding of the source, seasonality and characteristics of a broad range of ingredients.

A student’s knowledge of healthy eating is assessed at the start of the course and this is regularly monitored to ensure good progress is being made. KS3 Threshold Progress Descriptors are used to track and monitor all students’ learning and progression across all aspects of cooking and nutrition.

Key Stage 4

Eduquas GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition

GCSE students are taught in mixed ability groups of no more than 20 students.

The main focus of GCSE Food and Nutrition is to develop excellent practical cookery skills and a robust understanding of nutrition. This is a creative GCSE which allows students to make connections between theory and practice so they are able to apply their understanding of food science and nutrition to practical cooking. Students will cook most weeks and we aim for them to master a range of complex culinary skills using a wide variety of ingredients

Students will learn about food from around the world, through the study of British and international gastronomic traditions, as well as deepening their awareness of food provenance and the challenges surrounding food security. Students will develop a thorough understanding of nutrition and health, food safety and food science.

The course is assessed through a final written exam taken at the end of year 11, and two further non-exam assessments (NEA) are also completed during year 11.

• The exam (50% of GCSE) assesses the theoretical knowledge of food preparation and nutrition.

• NEA 1 (15% of GCSE) is a scientific food investigation which will assess the student’s knowledge, skills and understanding of food science.

• NEA 2 (35% of GCSE) is a food preparation assessment where students will prepare, cook and a present a menu. This will assess the student’s knowledge, skills and understanding in relation to the planning, preparation, cooking and presentation of food.

WJEC level 1/2 Hospitality and Catering

The main focus of this course is to learn about the Hospitality and Catering industry. This is achieved by completing lots of practical work to learn new skills with weekly practical lessons.

Students develop knowledge and understanding related to a range of Hospitality and Catering providers; how they operate and what they have to take into account to be successful.

Students have the opportunity to learn about issues related to nutrition and food safety and how they affect successful hospitality and catering operations.

Students develop food preparation and cooking skills as well as transferable skills of problem solving, organisation and time management.

This course is assessed through a final written exam taken at the end of year 11 and through a non-exam assessment also taken in year 11.

Internal assessments take place every half term, and the progress of all students is closely monitored. Assessment is ongoing and teachers provide written and verbal feedback to enhance independent progression. Target grades are routinely shared with students to enable them to develop their skills and aim high.

Revision sessions are held in the lead up to the final exams in year 11, and an intervention programme is in place for those students that are not on track to attain their target grade.

Unit 1 (40%): The Hospitality and Catering Industry will be externally assessed with an on line examination that lasts 90 minutes.

You will be graded as follows:

Unit 2 (60%): Hospitality and Catering in Action is internally assessed:

This involves students completing a non-exam assessment in school. The task is set by WJEC and students have to safely plan, prepare, cook and present dishes to satisfy the task.

Grading: Level 1 Pass, Level 2 Pass, Level 2 Merit, Level 2 Distinction

Key Stage 5

WJEC level 3 Diploma in Food Science and Nutrition:

This is a new and very popular course at Chancellor’s which replaced A Level Food Technology in 2017.

This course enables learners to demonstrate an understanding of the science of food, food safety, nutrition and nutritional needs in a wide range of contexts. Students will learn about the current issues affecting food science and nutrition. Through practical sessions, students will build on the culinary skills learnt at GCSE so they are able to produce restaurant quality food to meet the needs of a range of individuals.

Learning takes place through both teacher led theory lessons and an independent investigative approach. Students continue to learn a range of culinary skills and will regularly cook during their lessons. The course is assessed through examination and internally assessed coursework.

Extra-Curricular

Many of our pupils are enthusiastic cooks and stay after school to practice their culinary skills. We have a house cooking competition each year with a different theme. Pupils have enjoyed the challenge of a Bake Off event, Swiss roll challenge and mince pie competition.

The department celebrates BNF Healthy Eating Week with a wide range of whole school and cross curricula events.

Chancellor’s students regularly enter a range of local and national cooking competitions. Students have enjoyed success at The St Albans Chef of the Year competition and have won The Rotary Chef district final almost every year for the past 8 years.

Our students regularly win the area heat and go on to represent Herts, Beds and Bucks in the regional final. Students from key stage 4 & 5 have regularly reached the National final of the Teflon Diamond Standards Award. In 2019 a year 12 student was the overall winner of this National competition.

Both staff and students enjoy showcasing their talents and cater for school functions when required.

Useful Websites

http://foodafactoflife.org.uk/
https://www.nutrition.org.uk/

Introduction

What will I be studying and when? What is the exam board?

We currently follow the OCR Exam Board specification.

The course is made up of four units:

• One unit is assessed in an examination

• Three units are assessed through controlled assessment [Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction*]

• All four units will be completed throughout your KS4 journey

Of these four units, there are two compulsory (MUST DO) topics

1. Essential values of care (Exam unit) - taken at the end of year 10
2. Communicating and working with individuals in health and social care and early years’ settings - this will be a centre assessed unit of work.

There are another two units of work to complete. Both are controlled assessments – and both out of 60 marks

What are the expectations of the course?

Students opting for Health and Social Care, will demonstrate a keen interest in Health and Social Care professions and will be interested in exploring some major issues that are encountered in life (from child early years to elderly, later years of life). As controlled assessments form such a large part of this course, all students are expected to give 100% effort in class and outside of lessons. Homework will be set in accordance with the homework timetable and will be a combination of learning, reading or written tasks. There will be a large emphasis on learning key words and definitions. There will be opportunity to plan and carry out activities at a local primary school. In order to be afforded this opportunity, students will need to show excellent behaviour and attitude towards the course.

What will the examination look like?

In the Summer of Year 10, students will sit an exam for Unit R021: Essential Values of Care for Use with Individuals in Care settings. This unit is 25% of your overall grade and will be externally assessed. There are two sections in this paper that includes both long and short answer questions. This written exam is 1hr long and results are published in August of that year. There is an opportunity to re-sit this exam in the Summer of Year 11 but this will incur a cost. The highest grade will be used in the final tally.

What key dates do I need to be aware of?

• Year 10 Exams in May/June

• Year 11 Mock Exams in November

• Year 11 Re-sit Exams in May/June

Are there any specific resources that I will need?

• Cambridge National Level 1/2 Health and Social Care by Judith Adams, Mary Riley and Maria Ferreiro Peteiro [ISBN-13: 978-1471899744]. It is essential for students to purchase their own copies of the text book.

• An A4 lever arch file that will be brought to every lesson

Introduction

Design and Technology (D&T) is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which prepares all young people to live and work in the designed and made world. It provides opportunities for students to develop their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding, in order to create their own quality products.

We encourage students to be self-motivated, creative and innovative. Our workshops and classrooms are always a hive of activity with students using their time at lunch and after school to work on their projects!

Key Stage 3

Textiles

In Key Stage 3, Textiles students work through a variety of design and make projects while also becoming familiar with a range of textiles equipment including sewing machines when in year 9.

The aim of the course is to encourage independence, resilience and resourcefulness to help students achieve original and creative outcomes.

Students will research artists around a chosen theme which will encourage the development of practical and design skills. Students will hone their hand sewing skills and also be introduced to a range of textile techniques including heat transfer paints, stencilling, applique and 3D construction.

Success criteria is shared with students throughout booklets in year 7 and printed resources in years 8 and 9 to allow students to track and monitor their own learning and progression.

Key Stage 4

Art Textiles

Art Textiles is a great opportunity for students to learn a range of textile techniques and pattern cutting methods. Students will work with a range of media and are encouraged to work independently and draw on their creativity to produce interesting and textural sketchbooks.

This course is particularly suited to those who are creative, imaginative and think outside of the box, and who can show initiative and work independently to experiment and refine their ideas to make high quality products.

Key Stage 5

Art Textiles

A Level Art Textiles is an exciting course at Chancellor’s School. Students will work with a wide range of media, textile techniques and processes to build a large portfolio of sketchbooks and samples. Students will be encouraged to be daring and experimental with their ideas and to thoroughly embrace their creative side.

Outcomes can range from fashion items to textural wall hangings, and pupils will draw on their previous knowledge and skills in order to produce exciting and original ideas.

Extra-Curricular

The Faculty encourage students to be independent and continue their passion for 

Our students also have the opportunity to extend their understanding and passion for design and technology through a variety of extra-curricular trips, including Graduate Fashion Week and the Design Museum. 

Useful Websites

www.technologystudent.com
redruthproductdesign.wordpress.com