DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

GCSE Design and Technology 9-1 (Textiles, Resistant Materials and Graphics)

The GCSE in Design and Technology enables students to understand and apply iterative design processes through which they explore, create, and evaluate a range of outcomes. The qualification enables students to use creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes (together with evidence of modelling to develop and prove product concept and function) that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

It gives students opportunities to apply knowledge from other disciplines, including mathematics, science, art and design, computing, and the humanities. Students will acquire subject knowledge in design and technology that builds on Key Stage 3, incorporating knowledge, understanding of varied materials, and manufacturing processes to design and make, with confidence. Prototypes are produced in response to issues, needs, problems and opportunities. Students learn how to take design around scenarios, helping them to become resourceful, innovative, and enterprising citizens.

They should develop an awareness of practices from the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries. Through the critique of the outcomes of design and technology activity, both historic and present day, students should develop an understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world and understand that high-quality design and technology is important to the creativity, culture, sustainability, wealth and wellbeing of the nation and the global community.

Students can use all materials, in all disciplines meaning they are not restricted to one subject area. This gives students more freedom to be creative and unique with their designing and making. In addition, students feel that they are making the most of the subject, by still having an option of working in all areas.

GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition

Food Preparation and Nutrition equips learners to their love for food. The course encourages learners to cook, enables them to make informed decisions about food and nutrition and allows them to acquire knowledge to be able to feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously, now, and later in life. Food Preparation and Nutrition is an exciting and creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills to ensure students develop a thorough understanding of nutrition, food provenance and the working characteristics of food materials. At its heart, this qualification focuses on nurturing students’ practical cookery skills to give them a strong understanding of nutrition.

This course has been designed to enable students at Aston Manor Academy to be resilient and innovative to develop food products whilst creating a balance between practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding. The layout of the content into six areas of content promotes flexibility of delivery and releasing two tasks for each of the assessments that constitute the non-examination assessment will ensure students are able to complete assessments suitable to their needs. By studying food preparation and nutrition, students will be able to demonstrate effective and safe cooking skills by planning, preparing, and cooking a variety of food commodities whilst using different cooking techniques and equipment.

Students will be driven to develop knowledge and understanding of the functional properties and chemical characteristics of food as well as a sound knowledge of the nutritional content of food and drinks. In addition, they will be able to understand the relationship between diet, nutrition, and health, including the physiological and psychological effects of poor diet and health.

The economic, environmental, ethical, and socio-cultural influences on food availability, production processes, diet and health choices will also be addressed and covered as well as demonstrating knowledge and understanding of functional and nutritional properties, sensory qualities and microbiological food safety considerations when preparing, processing, storing, cooking, and serving food.

Overall, students will have the opportunity to be proactive and explore a range of ingredients and processes from British and international traditions to create an equal and diverse culinary experience.

• Component 1: Principles of Food Preparation and Nutrition Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes 50% of qualification.
• Component 2: Food Preparation and Nutrition in Action Non-examination assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated Assessment 1: 8 hours Assessment 2: 12 hours 50% of qualification.

The qualification will build on subject content which is typically taught at Key Stage 3 and provides a suitable foundation for the study of Food and Nutrition at Level 3 for example Level 3 Certificate in Food Science and Nutrition. In addition, the qualification will introduce our pupils to a new way of thinking about food which could help them to make informed decisions about a wide range of career pathways.

OCR Cambridge National – Level 2 Child Development

Year 9 Curriculum:

At Aston Manor Academy, we believe that Child Development plays a significant role in developing moral, social, cultural, and intellectual development of our pupils. Child Development enables pupils to learn about the diverse world we live in and teaches them to have a better understanding of equality and teaches them to respect and understand that people are all different and all equal in society.

Through studying Cambridge National Child Development, the students undertake a range of fun practical projects throughout Year 9. These projects include making information booklets, newspaper articles, children’s toys, and meals suitable for a mum to be. The projects are complemented by developing a greater theoretical understanding enabling students to learn fundamentally about the importance of good antenatal care, childhood nutrition and the key areas and influences upon children’s development.

Year 10 Curriculum:

In Year 10 students build on their knowledge and understanding of subject content learnt in Year 9 and apply this in the first part of their assessed coursework. This initial unit involves the investigation and research of nursery equipment solutions set in a current childcare context. The students are required to initially conduct research to generate recommendations for a range of equipment required for a 0 – 12-month-old baby and a 12 month to 5-year-old child. The students will have an opportunity to demonstrate skills in analysis and evaluation throughout this project. The second part of this unit will involve looking at childhood nutrition in more detail. The students will gain a much more in depth understanding of how micro and macro nutrients affect children’s development and the importance of following government guidelines on nutrition. The students will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding in a variety of creative ways including group presentations and practical demonstrations including preparing and presenting a meal in a functioning kitchen.

Year 11 Curriculum:

In Year 11 the students will focus specifically on the observation of a single child to assess their development in relation to the milestones for their age. This will involve the selection of physical, social, or intellectual development of the basis for their investigation. Over a series of observations, the students will plan and deliver a range of tasks for the child to complete under the supervision of their parents, carer, or guardian. The aim is to analyse whether the child is below, meeting or above the milestones for their age and make recommendations for their future development.

Whilst undertaking these coursework components, students will also be learning the theory modules to prepare them for the examination. The examination, which is worth 50% of the total grade, will cover the following areas: contraception and reproduction, antenatal care and labour, postnatal checks, childhood illnesses and child safety.

The Child Development curriculum is planned and sequenced carefully and strategically to have the greatest impact on student achievement. Pupils make excellent progress in this subject, achieving some of the highest grades in the school.

This subject allows pupils to move onto higher level courses, such as, Health and Social Care, Social Sciences and Apprenticeships in Child Care.

Click the link below to download our curriculum delivery overview for D&T: