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Key Stage 3
All Pupils study Design & Technology throughout Key Stage
3
The experiences of our students at Key Stage Three are planned
around the requirements of the National Curriculum. It is a cohesive
course designed to provide maximum interest, enjoyment and educational
benefit. We strive to provide work of a holistic nature, focusing
on a range of materials and processes, health and safety issues,
industrial practices, environmental concerns, communication techniques,
etc. The process of Designing is common in all modules and exercises
to develop the skills involved and general thinking skills are
increasingly being implimented.
Focused Practical Tasks (FPT) provide a vehicle to explore
the properties and uses of materials, and develop practical skills,
while Design & Make Assignments (DMA) provide opportunity
to use those skills to solve problems or satisfy technological
needs. Each FPT is an integral part of a DMA at Bridgewater,
though some DMA’s stand alone to explore various designing
skills.
The range of projects undertaken (DMA) varies from those designed
to focus on students prior learning / experience (Intuative Designing)
to those which involve designing in unfamiliar contexts (Emperical
/ Systematic Designing). Some projects are programmed to last
a few weeks while some are designed for an extended time.
Homework is mostly directly related to each project, though
not exclusively. Some is designed to broaden understanding of
the technological world beyond the facilities of the school,
and is also used a device to enhance students literacy skills.
Each student is timetabled for two, one hour lessons in Technology
each week for the whole of their time at Lower School (Key Stage
Three)
The academic year is divided into three modules in each of
the one hour periods. (Providing six Technology modules in each
of the three years. (Eighteen in total.)
Groups rotate through each area every twelve weeks. The teacher
remains in the area allowing students to work with all Technology
teachers. Detailed attainment data is collected throughout and
is used to inform parents, in the formation of Yr9 groups and
to award N.C. Levels at the end of the Key Stage.
Technology groups in Years 7 & 8 are mixed ability. To
reduce the numbers of students in each Technology group, we benefit
from enhanced staffing. The 10 Forms become 12 Technology groups.
This allows for teaching groups of 25/26.
In Year 9, the 12 groups are arranged based on the predictions
provided by CAT data and Technology attainment data collected
during Yrs 7&8. The formation of the groups is further informed
by professional judgement and the requirements of special needs.
This is a whole school policy. This arrangement gives opportunity
to work with students at a similar level of attainment and motivation.
Key Stage 4
During Yr 9, students are encouraged to opt for a Technology
subject to allow them to build on the foundations laid at KS3.
Design & Technology options
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The subjects available are:
PRODUCT
DESIGN
GRAPHICS
PRODUCTS
FOOD
TECHNOLOGY
These subjects share a common creative / innovative philosophy
and are a part of the suite of Design and Technology syllabuses.
They allow students to specialise as their titles indicate, with
Product Design including electronics, resistant materials, plastics
and graphics.
Further choices at KS4 are:
CHILD
DEVELOPMENT
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