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Mathematics - Year 7
Click here to return to our Technology curriculum home page
Below you will find more specific information about the curriculum in Textiles for students who have chosen this subject for GCSE, 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.
Subject Key Concepts
#1 Creativity #2 Planning #3 Materials
#4 Analysis #5 Sustainable Futures
Please click here for Subject Key Concepts.
Curriculum Overview for the year
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Useful documents:
Please click here for a PDF of curriculum overview.
While this information covers a broad range of areas, please do get in touch with the Subject Leader Miss Molinari if you have any questions.
Please click on the questions below to find out more.
Which exam board will students be examined by?
AQA
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, but also able to produce high quality folder work. There will be a significant Maths content in the exam paper (15%) and links with Science too.
How will students learn at this level?
- Watching practical demonstrations
- Practising different skills
- Using the internet to support your learning
- Practical experimenting, trial and error with different materials and techniques
- Peer work
- How will students’ learning be assessed at this level?
When do key assessments take place?
- NEA: March
- Exam for GCSE Design and Technology: May
Duration: 2 hours
How can parents/carers support students’ learning?
Encourage you to complete hand sewing skills at home fixing clothes with missing buttons etc… having access to ICT at home or encourage use of the library for research. Give feedback on work and answer surveys and questionnaires. Encouraging students to watch textiles and design programmes on the TV. TED.com is excellent for the latest research for fashion.What equipment do students need for this subject?
- Essential school equipment
- Fabrics for final projects
- The Faculty will support students with equipment if there is an economic need
How does this subject link to other subjects?
- Maths – Arithmetic and numerical computation, handling data, graphs, geometry and trigonometry.
- Science- Use scientific vocabulary, terminology and definitions.
What websites or resources may be helpful to support students’ learning?
AQA GCSE (1-9) Design and Technology PG online
Collins – AQA GCSE revision Design and technology
TED.com is excellent for the latest research for fashion
What extra-curricular or enrichment opportunities are available for students in this subject at this level?
Extra-curricular clubs on a Monday and Friday lunchtime
What sort of careers can this subject lead to?
The diversity of this course means it can lead towards a career in Fashion Design, Architecture, Marketing, Engineering, Interior Design, Materials Science, Medical Textiles, Fashion Communication, Graphic Design and Product design to name but a few. Universities value D&T as a subject for those wishing to pursue all types of careers, including Science and Medicine. If A-Levels or University are not for you, employers will value a GCSE D&T qualification as it develops creative, technical and transferable skills.
What does student work look like in this subject at this level?
How does this subject support a broad and balanced curriculum, meeting the needs of all students, and developing traditional core skills?
Broad and balanced
GCSE Design and Technology will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise.
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. Selection and use of materials considering end of life disposal. Energy sources. Changing the magnitude and direction of forces.
Maths – Measuring, tolerances, scales, ratios, calculations of areas, dimensioning, calculation of material quantities and sizes. Calculate surface area and volume e.g. material requirements for a specific use. Efficient material use, pattern spacing, nesting and minimising waste.
Analysing responses to user questionnaires. Frequency tables and information on design decisions. Presentation of client survey responses. Percentiles ranges used in anthropometrics and/or ergonomics.
English – reading, writing exam answers and high quality folder work, communication.
How does this subject promote creativity, critical thinking, practice, perseverance and resilience, and making links?
Creativity
Students are encouraged to think creatively and iteratively when experimenting, designing and making. A broad range of processes and techniques are used to enthuse students during lessons.
Critical thinking
Students will develop the skills to critique and refine their own ideas whilst designing and making whilst communicating their design ideas and decisions using different media and techniques.
Practice, perseverance and resilience
Students are encouraged not to view the course as a linear process to be followed in a step by step manner, rather, students should be encouraged to follow the iterative design process. students will learn that it is ok for experiments to go wrong as long as we learn from this!
Making links
The NEA (non-exam assessment) expects students to investigate a contextual challenge which defines the needs and wants of the user. Themes such as ‘working towards a sustainable future’ links D & T 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 consider how products are designed and made when taking into account aspects such as design for disabled users, the elderly, different religious groups. They also need to show awareness of environmental issues.
Substance/deep learning
Students will have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in great depth. They will learn how designs and prototypes must satisfy the wants or needs of the user and be fit for their intended use.
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 students.
