Design and Technology (Year 7)

What will you study?

2 lessons per week

In Year 7 you will learn about the design process. You will carry out research, ideate and make exciting solutions to design problems. You will learn about materials, their properties and their uses. You will have the opportunity to work with a variety of these materials, including fabric, metals and woods. You will be encouraged to model your ideas using, paper, modelling clay and a range of other modelling materials. You will build up a knowledge and understanding of the use of a range of different techniques, processes, and tools and machinery.

Creativity is a key element of the course. You will explore a range of different design techniques. You will be encouraged to stretch and challenge the confines of design briefs, not being afraid to take risks and ‘think outside of the box’.

Finally, you will reflect on the work that you have done, learning from your mistakes and thinking about how you might do things differently in the future.

Autumn Term

CTJ Pewter Casting:
– You will explore the material ‘Metal’, learning about ferrous and Non-ferrous metals, and alloys.
– You will learn about Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacture, using the laser-cutter to create a mould for your pewter casting.
– You will learn about the pewter casting process pouring molten pewter into your mould to form your final keyring.
– You will learn about finishing techniques, using these to finish your keyring to a high standard.

Courage, Truth and Joy Tote Bag:
– You will explore and experiment with a range of different embellishment techniques including applique, embroidery, tie-dying and screen printing.
– You will learn how to use the sewing machine.
– You will produce your very own CTJ inspired Tote bag.

Spring Term

Wonderful Wind-chime:
– You will further explore the medium of metal. You will look at how it can be manipulated – bent, formed, twisted, cut, engraved etc.
– You will use your imagination and the theme ‘Joy’ to create a mood-board to help inspire your final design. You will be encouraged to ‘think out of the box’ and not be afraid to do something that is a little bit different.
– You will customise your windchime using polymer modelling clay and other embellishment techniques.

Summer Term

Little People, Big Dreams Project:
– Inspired by the Little People, BIG DREAMS book series, you will produce your very own Little People, BIG DREAMS style booklet based on an inspirational Female Designer of your choice.
– Your booklet will document their story, identifying their influence on the World of Design.

Useful tips and resources

How can you prepare for Design Technology at Sutton High?
Take an interest in the World around you – take photos of things that catch your eye, practice your sketching and doodling.

How can you prepare for Design Technology at Sutton High?
Go to Vam Collections and search for ‘bags’ and ‘pewter’ to view some of the most interesting designs housed in the UK’s top design museum.
Make note of your favourite designs and think about what appeals to you and why?

What super curricular activities can KS3 students engage with at school?

STEM Club – come along and try out various STEM based activities throughout the year. Activities include Ice-cream making, bath bombs, paddle boats, 3D-printing and much more. This club runs after school twice a week.
Manga Club – come along and hone your graphic marker skills, sketching out your favourite manga style characters or creating original works of your own. This club runs after school for 2 terms.
CAD Club – come along and experiment with CAD and CAM, learning how to use CAD packages such as 2D-design, Fusion 360 and Spaceclaim, and using the Laser cutter and 3D-printer to realise your designs. This club runs after school for 2 terms.

Surrey SATRO Problem Solving Competition – team based competition where students solve engineering based problems. If successful in the heats they get through to the regional final.
MOBIE Design Future London Awards – an opportunity for students to tackle a design based problem redesigning a part of london. Students have to explore a brief, carry out research and generate solutions to the problem. Briefs change each year.