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Ridgewood School

Ridgewood School

Design Technology

Through the Design Technology (DT) Curriculum at Ridgewood School we provide all students with the opportunity to enjoy and realise success through the expression of creative, practical, technical and artistic skills.

 

Our Design Technology Curriculum will give students the opportunity to:

  • Break down barriers between traditional subject areas and help students understand their true potential within our subject by studying a range of engaging, innovative projects and becoming independent learners.
  • Develop independent practical knowledge and skill, with the ability to solve problems and make adaptations where required. 
  • Combine knowledge and understanding with designing and practical skills, to enhance students’ capability to make evaluative decisions to produce high quality, inspiring products, not only in school but throughout their adult life.
  • Apply an understanding of how food and nutrition is essential in order to make informed decisions when planning and preparing food; and how these decisions can impact on health and wellbeing.
  • Understand that they can take responsible risks and become more resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable.
  • Develop team working skills during practical activities and communication skills through delivering presentations to peers.

 

Please get in touch via the enquiry form on our Contact Us page. Should you have any further questions about our Design Technology Curriculum, please contact Miss Horrobin, Curriculum Lead.

KS3

At Key Stage 3 students engage in projects that provide them with an insight into aspirational careers as well as a range of practical skills which they may need in both their future lives. Knowledge and skills gained in Key Stage 3 are built upon at Key Stage 4, as students are offered the opportunity to opt for specific qualifications in engineering, construction and catering. We further students’ knowledge and understanding of industries linked to these qualifications by establishing links with local colleges and professional companies in order to further prepare them for future career opportunities.

Collaborative learning approaches are used in all lessons in which students are encouraged to gain experiences in leadership, teamwork and project management. Through this approach, students learn how to take calculated risks; becoming resourceful, creative, innovative, and capable citizens who are aware of their environment and their impact on the future of the planet.

The KS3 Curriculum at Ridgewood School aims to develop DT specialists in 5 different skilled areas. These skills are transferable for the KS4 subjects we offer.

At Key Stage 3 students rotate around different design technology topics throughout Years 7 – 9. Please view our learning maps to find out more. 

The Key Stage 3 recipes for food technology can be found here

Useful web links:

KS4

OCR- Engineering Design

Intended as an introduction to engineering, this qualification allows students to develop skills and understanding which will be of use generally and as part of a progressive career path leading to further technical or academic engineering qualifications. By studying Engineering you will develop subject knowledge, skills and understanding that allow you to solve engineering problems in an informed way. You will have access to the use of new technologies, materials and processes in addition to established engineering practices. You will apply your knowledge in a variety of contexts, developing systems that contribute to effective functional products that you build and test. You will study to understand the contribution that engineering makes to society and the economy.

For this qualification, students must achieve three units: one externally assessed and two Non Examined Assessment (NEA) units.

R038: Principles of engineering design

This is assessed by an exam. In this unit you will learn about the design process, and all of the stages that are involved. Topics include:

o Designing processes

o Designing requirements

 o Communicating design outcomes

o Evaluating design ideas

R039: Communicating designs

This is assessed by a set assignment. In this unit you will learn how to use sketching and engineering drawings to communicate your ideas.

Topics include:

o Manual production of freehand sketches

 o Manual production of engineering drawings

 o Use of computer aided design (CAD)

 

R040: Design, evaluation and modelling

This is assessed by a set assignment. In this unit you will learn how to create and test models of your design.

Topics include:

o Product evaluation

 o Modelling design ideas

 

WJEC- Hospitality and Catering

According to the British Hospitality Association, hospitality and catering is Britain’s fourth largest industry and accounts for around 10% of the total workforce. This course is designed to support learners who want to learn about this vocational sector and the potential it can offer them for their careers or further study. You will be able to cook and develop vital life skills that will enable you to feed yourself and others affordably and nutritiously, now and later in life. This course will appeal to those who like to be creative and love to cook.

 

For this qualification, students must achieve two units: one externally assessed and one Non Examined Assessment (NEA) units.

Unit 1

 Enables learners to gain and develop comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the hospitality and catering industry including provision, health and safety, and food safety

Topics Covered:

1.1 Hospitality and catering provision

 1.2 How hospitality and catering providers operate

 1.3 Health and safety in hospitality and catering

 1.4 Food safety in hospitality and catering

 

 Unit 2

Enables learners to develop and apply knowledge and understanding of the importance of nutrition and how to plan nutritious menus. They will learn the skills needed to prepare, cook and present dishes. They will also learn how to review their work effectively. Learners will need to apply knowledge gained in the following topic areas in order to be able to complete this assessment:

 • the operation of the front and back of house

 • hospitality and catering provision to meet specific requirements

 • health and safety in hospitality and catering provision

• food safety

• preventative control measures of food-induced ill health.

 

BTEC- Construction and the Built Environment

BTEC Construction is a fantastic choice for anyone considering a career in any area of the construction industry. The course offers the chance to develop a broad breadth of knowledge and understanding related to construction technology, construction and design, the role of science and mathematics in construction, and construction drawing. The course will introduce you to key roles in construction, how buildings are designed and constructed and give you opportunities to design buildings using the latest technology.

Learners are required to complete and achieve all three components in the qualification. The three components focus on the assessment of applied knowledge, skills and practices. These are all essential to developing a basis for progression and therefore learners need to achieve all components in order to achieve the qualification.

Component 1- This component will develop knowledge and understanding of processes, terminology and technology used in the construction of the built environment. Introduction There are many different types of buildings we can construct and occupy across the UK. This component will initially examine the different forms of construction that can be used for low-rise (up to 5.2 metres in height) offices, retail units and homes. The use of prefabrication to construct buildings is now a sustainable method used to build quickly and reduce damage to the environment. You will examine the modern methods of construction that rely heavily on offsite prefabrication, which benefits the environment sustainably. 

Component 2- This component will introduce learners to commonly used hand tools, equipment and craft skills needed in the creation of the built environment and how to select and use materials in order to safely produce quality outcomes. Introduction The construction industry creates an environment that meets the needs, concerns and visions of the people who use it and is created with care and attention by dedicated construction workers who are highly trained in their chosen craft area. On-site construction work is very rewarding. Working closely with site managers and technicians, the craftsperson uses tools and equipment to create the built environment, turning dreams into reality. Everyone relies upon the construction craftsperson to provide the quality environment in which we live, work and relax

Component 3- Learners will gain an understanding of clients’ needs and develop skills in producing building design briefs and sketches that consider construction constraints. Introduction Have you ever wondered why buildings are very different in their design and function? Or why some buildings on the outside look the same as others, but on the inside, completely different to what was expected? In this component, you will develop your understanding of how design requirements can be developed through analysis of client requirements and needs for a new building, how to consider the external constraints on a development, and how both facets influence designing a solution for a client’s needs.