KS4 Syllabus
Number of Sessions Per Week: 3 x 50 minute sessions
Homework: Once-twice per week, and more during Controlled Assessment periods.
At KS4, pupils can choose from Food, Electronics, Product Design, and Resistant Materials. Product Design does contain elements of Textiles, Graphics, and Resistant Materials, but has not replaced Resistant entirely, this still holds a place in its own right.
Electronic Products
In this subject area students will learn about the world of Electronic Products by designing and making their own high quality electronic products using a variety of manufacturing methods.
The course is aimed at students who enjoy a hands-on approach to learning, practical skills are gained by using a wide range of tools and equipment. During the course ICT and programming software will be used to enable the students to create original and imaginative practical projects. A strong focus is placed on initiative, independent learning and creative problem solving. A high level of thinking skills are included in the course to match the new GCSE course.
Throughout the course calculations and formulae are used to solve theory based questions as well as a wide range of components and electronic circuits. These areas are taught through practical tasks as well as written theory work.
Assessment
The assessment is split into two component parts: Final examination (40%) and Controlled Assessment (60%) (Design folder 20% and Practical 40%)
Career Possibilities
Electronic engineering, electrician, auto electrician or any career path that has a design element.
Food Technology
This syllabus is designed to provide opportunities for investigation, designing, making and evaluation which focus on the use of food as a material. In order to apply the appropriate designing and making skills, candidates will need to acquire an appropriate knowledge of the
complex nature of food as a material and its various properties. Also the effect of processing and the appropriate selection of tools and equipment which enable it to be cut, formed, shaped and finished. It is expected that candidates will acquire this knowledge and experience through focused practical tasks and assignments which enable a range of skills and processes to be developed. Wherever possible, these should be related to industrial practices and processes.
Assessment
The Scheme of Assessment consists of two components: Terminal examinations (40%) and Controlled Assessment (60%).
Career Possibilities
Dietetics, teaching food technology, catering, hotel management, nutrition advisers in health promotion, specialised roles in the food industry i.e. product design, product testing, sensory analyst, managerial levels in the food industry, health education, Nursing, Food Safety, Media, Public Relations, Journalism, Consumer Advice, Marketing and Public Health Officers.
Product Design
Incorporating Textiles, Graphics and Resistant Materials.
In this subject the students will experience various activities concerned with designing and making quality products in wood, metal, plastic, paper, card, textiles and any combination of these materials.
The students are encouraged to design products that are ‘commercially viable’ (i.e. could be produced on a large scale and marketed). Practical capability and an understanding of how things work in the real world are integral parts of the course. The quality of work produced is of a very high standard and closely replicates products that can be seen in everyday life.
Although hand skills are still important there is also many opportunities for the projects to be produced using CAD/CAM, (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacture).
All the projects that the students produce can be taken home, examples of final pieces of coursework can be seen in the images, these projects can be based on anything of the students choice, with real-life problems often leading to more successful final outcomes. Clothing and accessories, magazine covers and promotional free gifts, flat pack furniture, educational toys, and hand held electronic devices are some of the possible choices.
By designing and making these products students develop a wide range of skills which link closely to the Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS) which form an integral part of the new secondary curriculum. Students are encouraged to think creatively when looking for solutions, be prepared to work independently when inquiring into certain situations, participate effectively in group activities, work as a team to solve problems, learn to self manage their time when working to deadlines and also reflect critically on their own performance and that of others.
Alongside these skills the students will also develop an understanding and appreciation of commercial production techniques and how it is possible to replicate these in the school workshop (prototyping), real working environments where time management, attention to detail and design all contribution to a successful outcome.
All work produced can be used in an interview situation to display the quality of work and aptitude shown in school.
Assessment
The assessment is split into two component parts: Final examination (40%) and Controlled Assessment (60%).
Career Possibilities
Design and Technology is accepted with the same value as every other subject as part of the general entry requirements for colleges of further education, universities and other professional bodies. The skills gained in Design and Technology (e.g. problem solving, creativity, team working, critical thinking) will be of value in the vast majority of professional vocations.