Design & Technology at The Cornerstone Academy

In Design and Technology students have a double lesson a week as part of a rotation. In KS3, students are taught about the properties and characteristics of materials whilst developing a range of practical skills to understand how materials can be manipulated and assembled into products.  During practical lessons, we also build on students' life skills, encouraging independence in the workshop, teamwork, and time management. 

Students are taught about using a variety of tools and processes safely, as well as widening their understanding of the obligations of designers and manufacturers in protecting the environment.  

Properties and characteristics of Polymers. 

Properties and characteristics of Metals. 

Properties and characteristics of Timbers and Manufactured Boards 

Social, ethical, moral, and cultural aspects of using materials. 

Environmental impact of using materials for products. 

Health and Safety in the workshop. 

Use of Computer-Aided Design in the design and manufacture of products. 

The acquisition of design sub-skills to promote independent working. 

Students can choose to study AQA GCSE Design and Technology in KS4.  The course is made up from 50% Non-Examined Assessment (coursework) and 50% written exam paper, which is 2 hours long.  

Throughout Year 10 students’ will build upon the skills they have acquired throughout KS3 (Years 7, 8 & 9) and will have the chance to work on a series of practical projects. This will help to embed the theory they learn at the same time.  

The GCSE will require them to think of their own ideas, in response to design briefs and respond in the form of sketching and model making/prototypes as well as working with timbers, metals and plastics.   

The NEA starts in June of Year 10, when the exam board release a set of design briefs.  

Students’ will be encouraged to select a brief that plays to their strengths and something that they would be confident in completing independently, with guidance and advice from the teacher and technician.  

This will involve them coming up with their own design ideas and developing them through the process of sketching and model making.  

They will also need to produce a folder of work which shows their understanding of the design process as a whole and will require research and evaluation throughout.