KS3
KS3 Technology & Design at Dominican College: Building Skills, Creativity, and Independence
Our newly revamped KS3 Technology & Design curriculum at Dominican College focuses on three key areas, providing students with hands-on experience, creative development, and independent thinking which are all essential skills for their futures.
Year 8: Developing Manufacturing Skills
In Year 8, students are introduced to our workshop, where they gain practical experience using a variety of hand and machine tools. Through engaging projects, they learn to work with key materials like metal, wood, and plastic, building foundational skills in manufacturing.
Year 9: Enhancing Design Skills
Year 9 emphasises creativity and design thinking. Students explore the process of conceptualising and planning before they manufacture, using both traditional tools and computer software to bring their ideas to life. By the end of the year, they’ve developed a range of projects, enhancing both their design and practical skills.
Year 10: Fostering Independence
In Year 10, students build on everything they’ve learned to develop independent skills, preparing them for GCSE Technology & Design. They dive deeper into the design process, working through real-world challenges and exploring potential career paths within Technology and Design.
Throughout Key Stage 3, students are assessed across coursework skill and theoretical knowledge. Our assessment criteria encourages students to critically assess their own work, fostering reflective thinking and continuous improvement.
Our KS3 Technology & Design curriculum is fun, engaging, and challenging, with equal opportunities for every student to thrive and excel.
Year 8:
- Unit 1: Health & Safety
- Unit 2: Metal Key Tag
- Unit 3: Wooden Soma Cube
- Unit 4: Plastic Pencil Holder
- Unit 5: Computer Aided Design
Year 9:
- Unit 1: Key Rack Holder
- Unit 2: Puzzle Design
- Unit 3: Electronic Systems
Year 10:
- Unit 1: Joining Methods
- Unit 2: Careers within Technology & Design
- Unit 3: The Design Process
- Unit 4: An introduction into the Built Environment
GCSE
At GCSE level, we offer the traditional CCEA Technology & Design course, as well as the Occupational Studies course in Technology & Innovation.
The CCEA GCSE Technology and Design specification encourages students to be innovative and prepared to take design risks. Students explore the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries, as well as the importance of high-quality Technology and Design.
Our GCSE Technology and Design specification provides students with a core of knowledge in the following key areas before they choose to specialise in one:
- electronic and microelectronic control systems
- mechanical and pneumatic control systems
- product design.
The Occupational Studies specifications:
- focus on occupations and employability;
- enable progression to other courses, training and employment;
- help to raise levels of achievement; and
- emphasise learning by doing, which helps learners to develop the transferable skills needed in a changing and dynamic working environment.
Occupational Studies builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed through the Learning for Life and Work Area of Learning.
We are currently exploring additional subjects to expand our Technology & Design department offerings, including courses in Construction and the Built Environment; and Engineering. Stay tuned for updates!
Breakdown of course
GCSE students studying Technology and Design in Dominican College will follow the CCEA specification (see https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-technology-and-design-2017 for more details). In this specification there are several different options to follow. Set out below are the options that our students will be taking
Content |
Assessment |
Weightings |
Availability |
Unit 1: Technology and Design Core Content |
This unit comprises of: Product Design Electronic control systems Mechanical control systems Pneumatic systems and control Computer control systems |
25% |
Summer Year 11 |
Unit 2: Optional Areas of Study |
Students will study Option C Product Design. It comprises of: Design and innovation Manufacturing practices Materials, components and fabrication Market influences Social responsibility of product design |
25% |
Summer Year 12 |
Unit 3: Design and Manufacturing Project |
Controlled assessment Students complete a design project comprising of a 10-page design portfolio. Students will then manufacture their final design. The project is based on a theme laid out by CCEA each year. The project allows students to demonstrate their ability to design and manufacture a product. |
50% |
Summer Year 12 |
Students studying the CCEA occupational studies Technology and Innovation in Dominican College will follow the CCEA specification (see https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/vocational/subjects/level-1-and-level-2-occupational-studies-2013 for more details). In this specification there are several different options to follow. Set out below are the options that our students will be taking.
Content |
Assessment |
Weightings |
Availability |
Bench Joinery |
Students complete a range of coursework units and manufacture a Coffee Table. |
50% |
Summer Year 11 |
Carpentry & Joinery |
Students complete a range of coursework units and manufacture a Bird House. |
50% |
Summer Year 12 |
Students studying CCEA Construction and the Built Environment in Dominican College will follow the CCEA specification (see https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-construction-and-built-environment-2017 for more details). In this specification there are several different options to follow. Set out below are the options that our students will be taking.
Content |
Assessment |
Weightings |
Availability |
Unit 1: Introduction to the Built Environment |
Written examination 1 hour |
20% |
Summer Year 12 |
Unit 2: Sustainable Construction |
Written examination 1 hour 30mins |
30% |
Summer Year 12 |
Unit 3: The Construction Craft Project |
Controlled Assessment Manufacturing Task |
25% |
Summer Year 12 |
Unit 4: Computer Aided Design in Construction |
Controlled Assessment CAD Task |
25% |
Summer Year 12 |
A Level
Our Technology & Design department offers Edexcel Technology & Design where pupils are assessed in one 2 hour 30 minute paper along with one coursework element. Both units are worth 50% of overall A level grade.
The Specification for our A level can be found at: A Level Design and Technology (Product Design) (9DT0) Specification Issue 2
Content overview
- Topic 1: Materials
- Topic 2: Performance characteristics of materials
- Topic 3: Processes and techniques
- Topic 4: Digital technologies
- Topic 5: Factors influencing the development of products
- Topic 6: Effects of technological developments
- Topic 7: Potential hazards and risk assessment
- Topic 8: Features of manufacturing industries
- Topic 9: Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment
- Topic 10: Current legislation
- Topic 11: Information handling, Modelling and forward planning
- Topic 12: Further processes and techniques
Breakdown of course
Content |
Assessment |
Weightings |
Availability |
Unit 1: Principles of Design and Technology |
Written examination 2 hour 30 minutes |
50% |
Summer Year 14 |
Unit 2: Independent Design and Make Project |
Controlled assessment Students complete a design project comprising of a 40-page design portfolio. Students will then manufacture their final design. The project allows students to demonstrate their ability to design and manufacture a product. |
50% |
Summer Year 14 |
Career Opportunities
A background in Technology & Design opens doors to a wide range of dynamic and rewarding careers. From engineering and architecture to product design, construction, and digital innovation, professionals in this field play a crucial role in shaping the future. Careers in Technology & Design offer the chance to bring ideas to life, solve real-world problems, and create sustainable, cutting-edge solutions that impact everyday life. With ever-growing demand for skilled designers, engineers, and technologists, this field promises both exciting job opportunities and the potential to make a meaningful difference in our world.
Careers may include:
- CAD Developer
- Architecture
- Design (including digital and interactive, fashion and textiles, product etc.)
- Engineering (including Aerospace, civil, electrical, mechanical, etc.)
These are only some of the careers Technology & Design has to offer. More can be found at: Jobs that use Design and Technology – Careers – BBC Bitesize