Key Stage 3
Curriculum Overview
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GCSE skills:
- Identify and investigate design possibilities
- Produce a design brief and specification
- Design and make prototypes that are fit for purpose
- Apply knowledge of materials, properties and processes
- Apply knowledge and understanding of sustainability and the environment
- Generate design ideas
- Develop design ideas
- Consider the needs of users
- Realise design ideas
- Analyse and evaluate outcomes and processes
By the end of year 9, students should have a clear understanding of:
- New and emerging technologies
- Energy generation and storage
- Developments in new materials
- Systems approach to designing
- Mechanical devices
- Materials and their working properties
- Specialist technical principles
- Selection of materials and components
- Forces and stresses
- Ecological and social footprint
- Ecological issues in the design and manufacture of products
- Sources and origins of materials
In relation to material areas (timber, polymers, metals, card and textiles), students will:
- Use and work with materials
- Know stock forms, types and sizes
- Know the scales of production
- Choose and understand specialist techniques and processes
- Apply surface treatments and finishes
- Have a grasp of designing and making principles
- Understand ecological and social footprint
- Understand ecological issues in the design and manufacture of products
- Know sources and origins of materials
By the end of year 8, in relation to the material areas timber, polymers, metals, paper and textiles, students should have an understanding of:
- Developments in new materials
- Materials and their working properties
- Selection of materials and components
- Ecological and social footprint
- Ecological issues in the design and manufacture of products
- Sources and origins of materials
- How to use and work with materials
- Stock forms, types and sizes
- How to apply surface treatments and finishes
- Designing and making principles
By the end of year 7, students should in relation to timber, textiles and graphics have an understanding of:
- Materials and their working properties
- Selection of materials and components
- Ecological and social footprint
- Sources and origins of materials
- Stock forms, types and sizes
- Choosing and understanding specialist techniques and processes
- Applying surface treatments and finishes
- Designing and making principles