Design Technology

Year 7  

Content and skills 

How is it assessed? 

Autumn term 

During this term, students will design and manufacture a personalised key ring, developing skills in 2D design, rendering and isometric drawing. They will generate and refine design ideas, presenting them through annotated sketches. 

Students will learn essential workshop health and safety procedures and apply practical manufacturing skills, including gluing, shaping and drilling. They will also explore plastics, their properties and manufacturing processes, before investigating the Memphis design movement to inspire creative final designs. The work will combine design, making and material knowledge to develop students' technical and creative skills. 

Practical and design work is commented on throughout the lessons.  Understanding of existing designers and design skills are assessed though a formal design ideas assessment. 

Spring term 

During this term, students will explore design and manufacturing through a flat-pack furniture challenge, investigating standard components and efficient product assembly. Using CAD/CAM technologies, they will create mirror designs in 2D Design software before manufacturing and assembling their final products. 

Students will also study timber types and properties while exploring sustainability and current issues in design and manufacturing. The project will develop digital design capabilities, practical making skills and an understanding of sustainable product design. 

Practical and design work is commented on throughout the lessons. 

Summer term 

During this term, students will continue manufacturing their bird feeder project, developing practical workshop skills and applying safe working practices. They will also explore mechanical systems, learning how different types of motion, gears and levers are used in products. 

Students will enhance their design communication skills through one-point perspective drawing and produce annotated isometric drawings to present their final product ideas. The term will also include opportunities and an end-of-year assessment covering the key knowledge and skills developed throughout the course. 

Practical and design work is commented on throughout the lessons.  Understanding of theory and design skills throughout the year is assessment through a summative assessment. 

Year 8  

Content and skills 

How is it assessed? 

Autumn term 

During this term, students will develop their design communication skills through one-point and two-point perspective drawing, alongside a recap of isometric drawing techniques. They will apply these skills to generate and refine ideas for a container project inspired by a local theme, learning how to present and communicate design concepts effectively. 

Students will also revisit timber properties and wood joints before manufacturing their container designs. Throughout the project, they will develop practical workshop skills and explore technical drawing methods, including exploded drawings and cross-sections, to communicate how products are constructed. This work will combine creative design, technical knowledge and practical making skills. 

Practical and design work is commented on throughout the lessons. Design work is assessed through a formal design assessment. 

Spring term 

During this term, students will continue the manufacture of their container project, develop practical workshop skills and improve the quality and accuracy of their work. Alongside the making process, they will explore the work of Alessi and consider how innovative design can combine functionality with creativity. 

Students will also investigate new and smart materials, the properties and uses of metals, and different scales of production used in manufacturing. The term will conclude with an introduction to vacuum forming, helping students to broaden their understanding of manufacturing processes and material technologies. 

Practical and design work is commented on throughout the lessons.   

Summer term 

During this term, students will develop creative design skills through a maze design project and explore the purpose and importance of packaging. Using CAD software, they will create and refine packaging designs, considering both function and visual appeal. 

Students will also revisit key knowledge from across the year, including materials, manufacturing processes, technical drawing techniques and influential designers. They will apply this understanding by producing detailed drawings of their container project, including one-point and two-point perspective views, exploded drawings and cross-sections, helping them communicate design ideas clearly and professionally. 

Practical and design work is commented on throughout the lessons.  Understanding of theory and design skills throughout the year is assessment through a summative assessment.   

Year 9  

Content and skills 

How is it assessed? 

Autumn term 

During this term, students will be introduced to workshop expectations and develop their sketching, rendering and digital design skills using Autodesk software. They will apply these skills to a flashing robot project, carrying out product analysis, gathering user requirements and producing a design brief and specification before generating creative design ideas. 

Alongside the design process, students will explore systems and electronic circuits, developing an understanding of how products use electrical components to function. They will also complete a 3D printing project using Autodesk, gaining experience of computer-aided design and modern manufacturing technologies. 

Practical and design work is commented on throughout the lessons. Design work is assessed through a formal portfolio assessment. 

Spring term 

During this term, students will develop their understanding of orthographic drawing techniques and learn how engineers and designers communicate product information through technical drawings. They will apply these skills while manufacturing a robot casing, developing confidence in a range of practical workshop techniques. 

Students will also explore electronic circuits and their role within products before developing their own robot casing ideas. Through design development and cardboard modelling, they will refine and test their concepts, combining creativity, technical drawing and practical problem-solving skills. 

Practical and design work is commented on throughout the lessons. 

Summer term 

During this term, students will continue developing and refining their own robot casing designs through cardboard modelling and Autodesk CAD software. They will produce orthographic and exploded drawings to communicate their ideas accurately, building their understanding of professional design and engineering practices.  Alongside the design work, students will continue manufacturing their robot casing, applying practical workshop skills and attention to detail. The project will conclude with an evaluation of the final product, allowing students to reflect on their design decisions, manufacturing processes and overall outcomes. 

Practical and design work is commented on throughout the lessons. Development work is assessed through a formal portfolio assessment.