Quick Links

Quick Links

St Thomas More Catholic School

  • SearchSearch Site
  • Translate Translate Page
  • Twitter Twitter

Design & Technology

Food Technology

Why is food technology important?  

 Food Technology facilitates an understanding of what the body requires to be healthy and function optimally.  A scientific approach is taken to preparing tasty and well balanced meals.  Food Technology will suit those who are creative and well-organised. Pupils will gain a deep understanding of how food is sourced, prepared and served and useful life skills.

Teachers

Mr A Abdou

Miss J Monsurate

Miss M Jeremiah - Technician 

Resistant Materials and Graphics

Why is resistant materials and graphics important?  

Design and Technology (D&T) enhances pupils’ understanding of materials such as plastic, wood and metal.  It also engages pupils with new technologies, including Computer Aided Design, manufacture and 3D printing. It encourages creativity, blue sky thinking and design potential. The subject provides a deeper understanding of how things are made and encourages pupils to be enterprising, resourceful and inventive.

Teachers

Mr S Dolan- Head of Department 

Curriculum Map

DT Curriculum Map

KS3

Food Technology

Why is food technology important?

Food Technology facilitates an understanding of what the body requires to be healthy and function optimally.  A scientific approach is taken to preparing tasty and well balanced meals.  Food Technology will suit those who are creative and well-organised. Pupils will gain a deep understanding of how food is sourced, prepared and served, together with useful life skills.

Key Skills Required 

Pupils will mainly be focused on developing their practical skills. Pupils will be given the opportunities to be creative and experimental with materials and making processes.

Topics Covered in KS3

Number of lessons a week: 1

Topics covered include:  Food groups; Experimental baking; Eatwell plate; Foods from different cultures

Pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of ingredients and healthy eating. 

They will be able to apply their knowledge to make informed choices.

Pupils will develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently.

A repertoire will be built of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high quality products for a wide range of users. 

Practical work will be supported by homework tasks that develop knowledge of consumer food and drink choices and evaluate and test ideas and products.

Homework

Homework will be set on a weekly basis. The homework will often be design orientated. All homework will be uploaded onto ‘Show My Homework’ at the start of each week.

Assessment Details

Pupils are assessed regularly. Diagnostic monitoring will take place twice per half term.

Revision Support

Key Tips for Success

  • Pupils should spend at least 40 minutes on their homework which is set once a week.
  • Pupils should always ask for help in areas that they are unsure of.  They must ask for help with their homework in advance of the homework deadline. All homework will be on ‘Show My Homework’ and Design and Technology staff are available most lunch hours to discuss any difficulties.
  • Make sure that all work is presented neatly and always written in full and detailed sentences.

How can a parent help their child succeed?

Encourage your child to discuss their cooking ideas with you and encourage your child to explore new foods and recipes.

Resistant Materials & Graphics

Why are resistant materials and graphics important?

Design and Technology (D&T) enhances pupils’ understanding of materials such as plastic, wood and metal.  It also engages pupils with new technologies, including Computer Aided Design, manufacture and 3D printing. It encourages creativity, blue sky thinking and design potential. The subject provides a deeper understanding of how things are made and encourages pupils to be enterprising, resourceful and inventive.

Key Skills Required

Pupils will mainly be focused on developing their practical skills. Pupils will be given the opportunities to be creative and experimental with materials and making processes.

Topics Covered in Years 7, 8 and 9

Number of lessons per week: 1

Pupils will be taught four topics during the year:

  • Plastics
  • Structures
  • Wood
  • Graphics

Pupils will follow the design process to research, design, manufacture and evaluate a marketable product.

Homework

Homework will be set on a weekly basis. The homework will often be design orientated.

Assessment Details

Pupils are assessed regularly. Diagnostic monitoring will take place twice per half term.

Revision Support

Websites:

Key Books to read:

Key Stage 3 Design and Technology CGP Study Guide 

Key Tips for Success

  • Pupils should spend at least 40 minutes on their homework.
  • Pupils should always ask for help in areas that they are unsure of. They must ask for help with their homework in advance of the deadline.
  • Make sure that all work is presented neatly and always written in full and detailed sentences.
  • Pupils will be invited to be involved in STEM projects throughout the year.  STEM is a collaboration between Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. 

How can a parent help their child succeed? 

  • Supervise your child’s homework.
  •  Be willing to answer questions to help your child.
  • Please encourage your child to discuss their projects with you and explore new technologies, materials and products with them.

KS4

At Key Stage 4, pupils study the AQA Design and Technology specification.  This course develops pupils’ practical engineering skills with challenging manufacturing tasks whilst allowing them the scope to explore wider design contexts such as engineering for the developing world or designing for people with disabilities.

Pupils can also learn AQA Food Technology.  This is a course that encourages design and the development of ideas and high level skills along with a scientific understanding of the nutrition and the function of ingredients.

There are a variety of exciting extra-curricular opportunities open to young engineers in Technology.  At Key Stage 3, our Electronics and Robotics, 3D Printing and Laser Cutting clubs focus on enthusing pupils about engineering and designing.