Ofsted Outstanding

Year 11 DT

Guidance for parents

What will students study in Design and Technology this year?

In the Autumn Term of Year 11 students manage their Controlled Assessment, working with a high degree of independence to product a quality product, building on the success of their preparatory skills projects and Year 10 Controlled Assessment. In the Spring Term they begin an intensive period of revision and examination practice to prepare them for the exam in their chosen materials area which amounts to 40% of their final GCSE grade. A wide variety of learning styles are encouraged during this eight week period including modelling, testing, student presentations, with discussion and practice papers to ensure the best outcomes in the June examination.

Food- For their Yr 11 Controlled Assessment Unit A523 Making Quality Products, students design and manufacture a complete food product from the OCR set themes: Foods Around the World, Luxury Products or Nutritional Needs. They produce design ideas which show high levels of creativity in the design development of highly original dishes. When designing, modelling and trialling recipes, students annotate the ingredients, equipment and working practices used and objectively evaluate throughout in an A4 portfolio. This includes the use of ICT and the analytical software Food in Focus to support the development process. [20 hrs and 30% of the total GCSE]

Graphics- In the Yr 11 Controlled Assessment A533 Making Quality Products, students design and manufacture a complete product from the OCR set themes ‘Pop-up book’ or ‘Theatre or Concert Staging’ and produce original concepts which show high levels of creativity, using manual or computer aided illustration techniques. They then test and trial materials and processes such as Smart Materials, laser cutting or vacuum forming to skilfully manufacture an innovative quality product, recording the key stages in a development log. They then critically evaluate their progress and produce an A3 portfolio showing all design development with photographs of the final product in use. [20 hrs and 30% of the total GCSE]

Product Design- Students continue their single AQA Unit 2- Design and Making Practice Controlled Assessment into Yr 11, communicating, modelling and presenting their ideas manually and via computer using Inventor, 2D Design and Photoshop. They apply their understanding of the properties of materials to plan the manufacture their products with industrial standard working drawings and incorporate CAD/CAM using the 3D printer, laser cutter, milling machine and use an extensive range of workshop tools and equipment to develop a fully functioning three dimensional product. [45 hrs and 60% of the total GCSE]

Textiles- Yr 11 Controlled Assessment Unit A573: Making quality products Students design, model and manufacture a quality product from one of the OCR set themes: Twentieth Century Inspiration or Camouflage in Nature and feature designs with high levels of creativity in an A3 portfolio, using ICT to support the design and manufacturing process. Work includes Fashion illustrations using Photoshop, laser cut details, sublimation printing and a wide range of complex Textiles techniques where students have cut or adapted their own patterns. Students record the key stages of making and critically evaluate their progress. [20 hrs and 30% of the total GCSE]

What are the major assessments this year?

Students work with a high degree of independence, managing the completion of their Controlled Assessment coursework, producing high quality innovative products, often worthy of industrial production. Both OCR and AQA Controlled Assessments amount to 60% of the final GCSE grade and the final examination in June takes the form of multiple-choice, design and discussion type questions, where students consider and apply their understanding of aesthetic and technical issues, manufacturing constraints and sustainable design issues. Students are well prepared for the examination as a result of an intensive programme of theory and examination practice.

What will the current performance grade be based on?

The current GCSE grades are based on progress in the Controlled Assessment design folder and final product in line with OCR and AQA specifications which you can access here.

What should my daughter do if she feels she is struggling in the subject?

In the first instance, she should speak to her subject teacher who will help to identify specific areas for improvement in the subject with targeted support.

How can I support my daughter in Year 11?

The best way to provide general support to Year 11 students is by discussing their work in the subject and how things are progressing. If you can access the CAD programs Techsoft 2D Design, Photoshop or Inventor and encourage your daughter to work through the free trials; Google SketchUP would also be useful. Visit exhibitions and galleries such as the Design Museum, the V&A, and Science museum for research. For any clarification of key knowledge and revision use the websites www.technologystudent.com and www.bbc.co.uk/education. It would be helpful if students can get involved in any DIY projects around the home and join lunchtime clubs in school.

What kind of independent work should my daughter complete?

Students are given regular homework to complete and this should be recorded in your daughter's planner. To do well in Design and Technology she should use her Controlled Assessment Checklist which details all the outcomes that need to be completed and she should keep up to date with the research, design and evaluation homework she is set. There is a list of high quality websites herefor her to develop her skills in the subject.

Who can I contact for further advice and information?

Please feel free to contact the Head of Design and Technology, Mrs Shilling, on fshilling@newsteadwood.co.uk with as much detailed information as possible.

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