Each year in Art Design & Technology (ADT), pupils are taught by a number of specialist design teachers, in a rotation system including Resistant Materials Technology, Food Technology, Textiles, Graphics, Electronics and Art. ICT and CAD are used to enhance research and design work in all areas.
Throughout the department, pupils are encouraged to develop imagination, independence and creativity through a range of “design and make” tasks, resulting in quality products to take home. Current projects include: Cultural textile cushions, Eatwell Guide & Nutrition, Mechanical toys, Laser Cut LED Maze, Graphics and CAD/CAM (Computed Aided Design and Manufacture.) Pupils are taught to record ideas and opinions, and to evaluate their own design/art work and those of other artists and designers from differing cultures, past and present.
During all years, pupils will work with a variety of materials including textiles, graphic media (paint, pencil, paper, photographs), resistant materials (wood and plastic), electronic components and food. They will be taught to work within the constraints of cost and time and to consider sustainability throughout. Making is important, but an increasing emphasis is also placed on the preparatory research, theory and design elements of the subject.
Homework will be set as and when appropriate during projects to enhance pupils’ understanding of the topics being studied.
Pupils are taught to observe the high standards of health and safety that are maintained throughout the department.
In order to provide top quality materials for these projects, we ask for a one-off contribution which will pay for all materials used in ADT over the next three years. For this payment your child will receive an apron, an A3 polywallet and will be able to bring home all of their finished products. Pupils may provide their own apron should they wish, with a corresponding reduction in charge.
Pupils will need to bring ingredients and a named apron for Food Technology practical lessons.
In addition, pupils are expected to arrive at ADT lessons with the correct drawing equipment, such as pens, pencils, coloured pencils (not felts), ruler, rubber and sharpener.
Verbal feedback is given when appropriate throughout a course.
Pupils’ work is marked, as appropriate, using WA (Well Above); AB (Above); AT (at);
T (Towards) and B (Below) grades which relate to our Expected Standards.
Pupils are often provided with comments on what they have done well (www) and what they could do to improve (ebi).
Each year, pupils work towards an “ADT focus” (teamwork, independence, creativity etc). These are recorded in pupils’ organisers for reference and their course booklets. At the end of each course, pupils complete a self-assessment in the back of their work booklets; and also have the opportunity to provide their own comments.
More formal assessments and attitude/organisation grades are made at the end of each course. These are recorded on assessment sheets at the back of pupils’ work booklets, along with targets and suggestions for improvement. These are returned to the pupils for viewing and discussion before they are taken home to share results with parents.
In ADT, we aim to empower pupils to be:
Key Concepts for each Project in Year 7
Yr7 GP (Structures & Silhouettes)
Yr 7 RMT (LED Maze)
Yr 7 Textiles (Sustainability)
Yr 7 Food (Healthy Eating)
Year 7 Art (Mark Making)
Key Concepts for each Project in Year 8
Year 8 Graphics (Fragrance Packaging)
Year 8 Textiles (Cultural Cushions)
Year 8 Food (Staple Foods)
Year 8 Art (Cultural Art & Patterns)
Key Concepts for each Project in Year 9
Year 9 RMT (Mechanisms)
Year 9 Textiles (Modern Textiles)
Year 9 Food (Food For Teenagers)
Year 9 Art (GCSE Introduction - Fine Art)
Year 9 Art (Perspective Project)
The ADT Department are currently offering the following AQA GCSE exam courses:
It is important to stress that all of the above courses are very theoretical. Whilst pupils will undertake designing and making, the associated theory (including large elements of Maths and Science) forms a large part of the final grade. 50% of the qualification is exam-based and the other 50% is project-based for both D&T and Food. 40% of the qualification is exam-based and 60% is coursework for Art.
Homework is set regularly. This homework covers much of the vital theory work necessary for exams, so self-motivation and adherence to deadlines is vital.
For GCSE parents will be expected to pay a one-off contribution towards all necessary materials and equipment for each exam (including recommended text books where appropriate) for Year 10 and then in Year 11 pupils can either source their own materials and equipment or purchase them (at a discounted rate) on a “pay as you go” system from the ADT Department shop.
Further details and advice can be obtained via the AQA website, within the GCSE Options Booklet and individual subject leaflets which are available from the ADT staff