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Resistant Materials
In Years 7, 8, and 9 pupils are given the opportunity to use the design process to produce imaginative and creative solutions. Folder work is produced on A3 and pupils make their products from wood, metals and plastics, whilst learning to use both hand and machine tools in a safe and effective manner. Skills and techniques are further built upon in Years 10 and 11, and aid pupils to gain excellent results in their GCSE coursework.
KS3 Resistant Materials
Year 7 Resistant Materials
In Year 7 pupils are taught skills and knowledge through a variety of design and make tasks. They produce a wooden pencil box with a lid that pivots - the lid has been laser cut to the student's design - which gives them a firm foundation for progression in Year 8. Also in Year 7 they produce an acrylic container for a screwdriver and a small copper torch.
Year 8 Resistant Materials
Building on the skills and techniques learned in Year 7, pupils are introduced to the methods used to produce products in quantity in industry; using CAD/CAM, vacuum forming and the strip heater to cut, shape and form materials whilst producing a plastic product of their choice in teams.
Year 9 Resistant Materials
Pupils design and make a decorative pewter pendent for a target audience of their choice. This module builds on skills learnt in Year 7 and allows pupils to explore techniques used, in greater depth. Natural forms are the initial inspiration from which pupils begin to form their ideas, they are encouraged to be imaginative and creative in their approach to design.
GCSE Short Course, Product Design
The short course is a very challenging and demanding course that allows a select group of Year 9 pupils to gain half a GCSE by the end of Year 9. Pupils are required to design and make a functional product with a supporting A3 portfolio forming 60% of the overall grade, the remaining 40% is gained through a one hour written exam. There is a focus on resistant material (woods, metals and plastics) and pupils are encouraged to be imaginative and creative in their approach to the development of their chosen project. The ability to learn and research independently is very important as we do require a lot from the pupils in a relitivly short period of time.
KS4 Resistant Materials
In Year 10, GCSE Resistant Materials pupils complete six modules. Pupils further develop the practical skills acquired in KS3, and broaden design experience in preparation for the AQA Resistant Materials Design and Technology exam in Year 11.
During the first of the six modules, pupils will design and manufacture an abrasive stick, which focuses greatly on Ergonomic design. The students use anthropometric data to produce accurate dimensions for their abrasive tool.
The second module involves the manufacture of a wooden puzzle, to include a high level of accuracy when marking and cutting out, plus the skill to follow clear instruction and technical drawings.
The third module is a product made in connection to a challenge set by Ikea.
The fourth module involves the manufacture of an award or trophy.
The fifth module is revision and planning for coursework task.
The sixth module is a mini product which uses all the above skills and prepares the pupil for the rigors of Resistant Materials coursework in Year 11.
In Year 11 pupils are working on their coursework and revising for their exam. Their coursework consists of approx. 20 sheets of A3 paper which details the problem that their end product will solve.
