Design Technology & Food

What is it like to study DT and Food at Monk's Walk school?

At KS 3 students study a subject for 13 weeks completing a series of design and make tasks in DT and learning how to prepare a range of dishes in Food.

• In year 7 students complete 3 rotations in each of the following subjects, Food, Textiles and Wood.
• In year 8 students follow a similar pattern but this time they study Metal, Control and either Food or Textiles.
• In year 9 students complete the rotations in Graphics, Wood and then either Food or Textiles, which ever one they did not do in year 8.
• At KS4 students can then choose one of the following options: DT Product Design which incorporates wood, metal and plastics, DT Graphics which is based on paper and boards as the materials or DT Textiles which incorporates fabrics techniques such as using the sewing machines and pattern making. All 3 subjects award a DT qualification and students can only chose one of these as they have the same assessment criteria and exam paper at the end.
• They can also choose Food and Nutrition as an option. This subject is no longer classed as a DT so students can choose both if they wish.

At KS5 DT Product Design is offered and if there is enough interest DT Fashion and Textiles. However students must have studied these at KS4 to access the course.

How is DT and Food assessed?

In KS3 each 13 week rotation is assessed at the end with students given a grade similar to that used on the reports and indicating whether the child has made good progress in that topic. Progress information given to students reflects the work completed in the recent rotation alongside the written and verbal contributions in class. Added to this is a target to work on that is carried forward to the next topic.

In KS4 students follow the AQA syllabus of work, as set out by the exam board. Both DT subjects and Food have coursework to complete and a GCSE exam to sit.

In KS5 students also follow the AQA syllabus. The final assessment is 50% coursework on a project chosen by the student and 2 exam papers, testing their knowledge of materials and processes. This is the same for both DT Product Design and DT Fashion and Textiles.

design technology / food ks3

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