Mathematics - Year 7

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Below you will find more specific information about the curriculum in Engineering Design for students who have chosen this subject, explaining to you what students will learn, when, why and how. There is also information about how parents/carers are able to support students in their learning, extra-curricular opportunities in this subject and how it links to other subjects and the wider world.

While this information covers a broad range of areas, please do get in touch with the Subject Leader Mrs Ellis if you have any questions.

Please click on the questions below to find out more.

Which exam board will students be examined by?

OCR

How are groups organised?

We organise our classes by mixed ability. The students have five one-hour lessons per fortnight.

What characteristics does a successful student have in this subject?

The most successful students in this subject will enjoy working practically, will be passionate about creating useful products and will sustain their focus on long-term projects.

What are the key concepts students will study at this level?

• Product analysis
• Product disassembly
• Industrial processes
• Developing and presenting engineering designs
• Prototype modelling
• Using hand tools, machines and CAD/CAM to make products

What will students learn at this level?

The units will be taught through a combination of theory and practical based sessions.

Unit R105

Design briefs, design specifications and user requirements

Understand the design cycle and the relationship between design briefs and design specifications

Understand the requirements of design specifications for the development of a new product

Know about the wider influences on the design of new products

Unit R106

Product analysis and research

Know how commercial production methods, quality and legislation impact on the design of products and components

Be able to research existing products

Be able to analyse an existing product through disassembly

Unit R107

Developing and presenting engineering designs

Be able to generate design proposals using a range of techniques

Know how to develop designs using engineering drawing techniques and annotation

Be able to use Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and techniques to produce and communicate design proposals

Unit R108

Design realisation

Know how to plan the making of a prototype

Understand safe working practices used when making a prototype

What skills will students develop at this level?

• Practical skills
• Drawing skills
• Analytical and evaluative skills
• Communication skills (a mixture of verbal, paper, and computer based skills)
•  Health and safety awareness
• Teamwork
• Problem solving

How will students learn at this level?

• Watching practical demonstrations
• Product disassembly
• Practising different skills
• Using the internet to support your learning
• Recording your progression
• Trial and error when experimenting with different materials
• Observing your peers
• YouTube videos of processes
  

How will students’ learning be assessed at this level?

R105 is a written paper which is worth 25% of the final  qualification

R106, R107 and R108 are coursework based units each are worth 25% of the final qualification

When do key assessments take place?

R106- Coursework to be submitted end of Year 10 (June) (TBC)

R107- Coursework to be submitted end of Year 11 (June) (TBC)

R108- Coursework to be submitted end of Year 11 (June) (TBC)

R105- End of year 11 (Written exam)

How can parents/carers support students’ learning?

Encourage you to work on your coursework at home, give feedback and suggestions at key stages of the projects, answer surveys and questionnaires, also look at products around the home and discuss how you think they have been made/put together, watch design and manufacturing programme on the TV and visit exhibitions.

What equipment do students need for this subject?

• Essential school equipment
• Apron
  

How does this subject link to other subjects?

Maths: accurate measurements

Art: drawing skills

What websites or resources may be helpful to support students’ learning?

Technologystudent.com

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals/engineering-design-level-1-2-award-certificate-j831-j841/

What extra-curricular or enrichment opportunities are available for students in this subject at this level?

We open our workshops to KS4 students at lunch and after school to work on projects.

What sort of careers can this subject lead to?

Too many to list here but they include:

• Product Designer
• All branches of engineering
• Architect
• Aerospace
• Car design
• Mechanic
• Carpenter
• Research and prototype developing
• Safety and Quality assurance

What does student work look like in this subject at this level?

For samples of students work click here.

How does this subject support a broad and balanced curriculum, meeting the needs of all students, and developing traditional core skills?

Broad and balanced

We offer students the opportunity to develop a design specification and study the processes involved in designing new engineered products. Students will use a wide range of skills such as drawing, computer modelling and model making to communicate design ideas.

Meeting the needs of all students

Lessons are taught in mixed ability groups. Every lesson is differentiated to ensure students of all abilities are stretched and challenged. A combination of theoretical and practical lessons give students the opportunity to excel in different areas according to their own strengths. TAs are used effectively in lessons to support students according to their needs.

Traditional core skills

Science- investigations, electronics, materials and processes

Maths – Measuring, tolerances, scales, ratios, calculation of areas, dimensioning

English – reading, writing, communication

How does this subject promote creativity, critical thinking, practice, perseverance and resilience, and making links?

Creativity

Students are encouraged to design and make products with creativity and originality, using a wide range of materials and techniques when completing the R107 (Developing and presenting engineering designs) element of the course.

Critical thinking

Whilst completing Unit R106 (Product analysis and research) students are encouraged to consider a range of issues such as the impact of different production processes and product end of life. Students are also expected to be able to identify strengths and weaknesses of existing products.

Practice, perseverance and resilience

Students are encouraged to experiment with their ideas through sketches and modelling, this inevitably leads to a mixture of successes and failures. Students are taught that through practice, perseverance and resilience good ideas evolve into great ideas!

Making links

During the R106 unit, students are expected to consider the product life cycle of a torch, these environmental and social issues link to science.

How does this subject encourage enrichment and the development of cultural capital, deep learning, and inclusivity?

Enrichment/cultural capital

Students are encouraged to appreciate that engineering contributes to the development of different cultures and to a highly technological future.

Substance/deep learning

Students will learn about concepts such as how changes in working practices, due to developments in engineered products, have impacted upon the environment. This may include a reduction in carbon emissions due to improved production methods, the globalisation of manufacturing or the more efficient disposal techniques for engineered products that are used today.

Open and inclusive

Every topic within the course is fully accessible to all students through differentiation in lessons and a variation of teaching strategies when delivering lessons depending on the needs of individual student.