DT Faculty
Mrs D Brockwell- brockwelld@denbigh.net
Mrs G Davies-Fairclough- daviesg@denbigh.net
Mrs K Gilmour- gilmourk@denbigh.net
Mrs A Lanzon-Miller- lanzonmillera@denbigh.net
Mrs G Spittle- spittleg@denbigh.net
Mr M Stott- stottm@denbigh.net
Mrs G Thompson- thompsong@denbigh.net
Faculty Introduction
The Design Technology Faculty is a combination of many disciplines including Product Design, Resistant Materials (working with woods, metals and plastics), Fashion and Textiles, Food Preparation and Nutrition and Hospitality and Catering.
Our Faculty aims to stimulate the curiosity, promote problem solving and critical thinking of the next generation of design and technologists. Technology is constantly evolving and we want to ensure that every student develops skills for designing for a modern society and prepare them to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing technologies.
We have very good facilities at Denbigh including: specialist workshops for both Product Design and Resistant Materials, Textiles studios and two Food preparation rooms. These are equipped with state of the art machinery including: 2 x 3D printers, a large laser cutter, a plasma cutter, CAD/CAM routers, CNC embroidery machines and a dedicated CNC machinery bay.
Key Words for Year 7 Food Technology – Spring
Key Term | Definition |
Recipe | A recipe is a list of ingredients and instructions of how to make a specific food dish. |
Food miles | This refers to the distance that food has travelled to reach our plates. This can often be through different countries if the food is out of season for the UK for examples Italian Lemons. |
Seasonality | Eating the food that is growing in the season you’re currently in. Food is in season in the UK if it is growing and ready for harvesting when the conditions are right, for example pumpkins are in season in October. |
Bacteria | Bacteria is the correct term for ‘germs’. Some bacteria in food can make you very unwell if you do not cook food to a safe temperature in order to kill it. |
Bridge/ Claw | The bridge and claw refer to two ways to hold food that you are cutting. |
Key Words for Year 7 Resistant Materials – Spring
Key Term | Definition |
CNC router | A computer controlled machine which has a spinning part to carve out channels in a wood/ plastic material. We use this to make maze games in the Y7 Resistant Materials rotation. |
CAD/CAM | Computer aided design/ Computer aided manufacture. Using machines to design and make products. |
Pillar drill | A machine on a stand that can be moved up and down to drill holes in your materials. |
Tenon saw | A saw specifically used for cutting wood. It has tall, flat sides and sharp teeth for cutting straight lines. |
Bench hook | A wooden block which is hooked on to the surface of the workbench to prevent us from marking to worksurfaces with our saws. We use a bench hook to saw wood and when we push against it we keep it in place with tension. |
Key Words for Year 7 Textiles – Spring
Key Term | Definition |
Stitch unpicker | This is a sharp tool which we use to unpick stitches. It has a pointed end to help us to get underneath a stitch and it has a sharp curve to cut the stitch when we push down. |
Needle | A needle is used to guide thread between fabrics to create stitches, a needle has a hold called an eye which we put the thread through to hold it in place whilst we sew. |
Pin | A pin is different from a needle because it doesn’t have an eye. We use pins to temporarily secure two pieces (or more) of fabric together. It is pointed at one end and It has a flat part at the other end which keeps it in place. |
Fabric shears | Fabric shears are big scissors which we use to cut through fabrics. Fabric is generally more difficult to cut than paper and requires bigger, stronger or sharper tools. |
Seam allowance | When we sew two pieces of fabric together, to stop the stitches coming undone, we leave a gap at the edges called Seam allowance. Standard seam allowance is 10mm. |
Key Words for Year 8 Food Technology – Spring
Key Term | Definition |
Nutrients | The term used to describe the different vitamins and minerals that we consume within our food to keep our bodies healthy. |
Cultural dish | Often a recipe that originates from a specific area, country or religion. An example of this would be an Indian Curry or Italian Spaghetti Bolognese. |
Adaptations | Sometimes we need to make changes to our recipes so that more people can eat them if they have allergies or are not allowed to eat a particular meat. These changes are called adaptations. |
Food intolerance or allergies | Some people are unable to eat particular food because they can make them unwell. There are food intolerances or allergies. Food intolerances can be less severe than allergies and include things like lactose or gluten intolerance. Allergies are the more severe form which can be things like celiac or peanut allergies. |
Roux | A roux (pronounced ‘roo’) is a French word for the base of a white sauce in cookery. We would heat up butter and flour to form a paste which we would then make into a sauce by adding milk whilst stirring. We use a roux when making macaroni cheese or the topping for a lasagne. |
Key Words for Year 8 Resistant Materials – Spring
Key Term | Definition |
LED | Light emitting diode – This is a small light bulb which we solder in place when making our lamps in year 8 resistant materials. |
Orthographic drawing | Orthographic drawings are used to look at all sides of a 3d object in a 2d form. With orthographic drawing we often look at the front, top and sides of an object. |
PCB | Printed circuit board – This is uses a copper strip to divide the steady flow of electricity so that electricity is flowing to all of the devices soldered to it for example LED’s and a switch. |
Accuracy | Working with accuracy in DT can mean planning and checking that your measurements are correct before you cut your materials and measuring afterwards to ensure that it is still correct. |
Manufacturing specification | This is a document that we plan, write and use before we make a product. It often tells us what materials, how much, which tools to use and in which order to construct the product. |
Key Words for Year 8 Textiles – Spring
Key Term | Definition |
End user | An end user is the person/ people that you intend for your product to be made for. For a bag for life inspired by a festival, you might design for festival goers or people who aspire to go to festivals. You would nee to ensure that you have researched what these people like/ don’t life so that you can design a product that is suitable to meet their needs. |
Design specification | A design specification is a document that we write before starting design work. It often contains information such as, who the design should be suitable for and what their needs are, how much it should cost, which materials you want to design with etc. We use this like a checklist when we design products to ensure that we are on track. |
Hem | A hem is used on the bags we make in year 8 to create strong top edge for the tote bag and protect the edges of the fabrics. To sew a hem, you have to fold the fabric over twice accurately, pin the edge down and sew with a sewing machine. You have a hem at the bottom of your skirt or trousers for example. |
Smart materials | Smart materials react and change in response to an external stimulus. This can mean a fabric that changes colour when exposed to sunlight or hot/ cold temperatures. Smart materials can be useful in indicating the presence of hot temperatures and can warn of a hazard to someone’s safety. An example of use for a temperature responsive smart material is in baby products for milk or bathwater. |
Biomimicry | Biomimicry is an approach to designing products which focuses on solving problems by using some of the strategies that nature has already come up with. An example of this is the structure of burrs (plants with spiky curs on them) and how they stick themselves to animal fur but can be removed easily too. This inspired the creation of hook and loop tape (brand name ‘Velcro) which is a semi- permanent solution for joining materials together. People often have hook and loop tape on their school shoes to fasten them without laces. |
Design & Technology
Year 9
Autumn 1st half term | Lamination & Woodwork Skills |
Autumn 2nd half term | Materials & Processes |
Spring 1st half term | Practice Non Examined Assessment |
Spring 2nd half term | Human Factors Theory |
Summer 1st half term | NEA & CAD skills |
Summer 2nd half term | Manufacturing & PPE |
Year 10
Autumn 1st half term | Fusion 360 (CAD) skills |
Autumn 2nd half term | Short practical skills project |
Spring 1st half term | Materials & Manufacturing techniques Sustainability and the Environment |
Spring 2nd half term | Products in Society Energy Generation & Storage Mechanical Devices, Forces & Stresses |
Summer 1st half term | Project/Practical Skills |
Summer 2nd half term | Non Examined Assessment (Coursework) |
Year 11
Autumn 1st half term | Non Examined Assessment (Coursework) |
Autumn 2nd half term | Non Examined Assessment (Coursework) |
Spring 1st half term | Non Examined Assessment (Coursework) |
Spring 2nd half term | Exam Preparation – Core technical principles & specialist technical principles |
Summer 1st half term | Exam Preparation – Designing & Making Principles |
Summer 2nd half term | N/A |
Product Design
Year 12
Autumn 1st half term | Practice skills based project Non-Examined Assessment Case Studies Materials, components, process and their selection and uses in products and/or systems The selection and use of the above in industrial commercially viable products and practices Demonstrating technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques |
Autumn 2nd half term | Practice skills based project Non-Examined Assessment Case Studies Materials, components, process and their selection and uses in products and/or systems The selection and use of the above in industrial commercially viable products and practices Demonstrating technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques |
Spring 1st half term | Practice skills based project Non-Examined Assessment Case Studies Materials, components, process and their selection and uses in products and/or systems The selection and use of the above in industrial commercially viable products and practices Demonstrating technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques |
Spring 2nd half term | Practice skills based project Non-Examined Assessment Case Studies Materials, components, process and their selection and uses in products and/or systems The selection and use of the above in industrial commercially viable products and practices Demonstrating technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques |
Summer 1st half term | Practice skills based project Non-Examined Assessment Case Studies Materials, components, process and their selection and uses in products and/or systems The selection and use of the above in industrial commercially viable products and practices Demonstrating technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques |
Summer 2nd half term | Practice skills based project Non-Examined Assessment Case Studies Materials, components, process and their selection and uses in products and/or systems The selection and use of the above in industrial commercially viable products and practices Demonstrating technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques |
Year 13
Autumn 1st half term | Non-Examined Assessment completion Iterative design project Exam Preparation Applying knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products to given situations and problems Demonstrating higher thinking skills to solve problems and evaluate situations and suitability of design solutions |
Autumn 2nd half term | Non-Examined Assessment completion Iterative design project Exam Preparation Applying knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products to given situations and problems Demonstrating higher thinking skills to solve problems and evaluate situations and suitability of design solutions |
Spring 1st half term | Non-Examined Assessment completion Iterative design project Exam Preparation Applying knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products to given situations and problems Demonstrating higher thinking skills to solve problems and evaluate situations and suitability of design solutions |
Spring 2nd half term | Non-Examined Assessment completion Iterative design project Exam Preparation Applying knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products to given situations and problems Demonstrating higher thinking skills to solve problems and evaluate situations and suitability of design solutions |
Summer 1st half term | Examinations |
Summer 2nd half term | N/A |
Textiles – AQA GCSE Art & Design
Year 9
Autumn 1st half term | Project 1 Skill Development Project – Surface pattern |
Autumn 2nd half term | Project 1 Skill Development Project – Surface pattern |
Spring 1st half term | Project 2 Skill Development Project – Print and Dye |
Spring 2nd half term | Project 2 Skill Development Project – Print and Dye |
Summer 1st half term | Project 3 Skill Development Project – Cultures |
Summer 2nd half term | Project 3 Skill Development Project – Cultures |
Year 10
Autumn 1st half term | Project 1 – Identity |
Autumn 2nd half term | Project 1 – Identity |
Spring 1st half term | Project 2 – Textiles Skills |
Spring 2nd half term | Project 2 – Environments |
Summer 1st half term | Project 3 – Environments |
Summer 2nd half term | Project 3 – Sustained Project |
Year 11
Autumn 1st half term | Component 1 – Sustained Project |
Autumn 2nd half term | Component 1 – Sustained Project |
Spring 1st half term | Component 1 – Sustained Project |
Spring 2nd half term | Exam Preparation – Component 2 |
Summer 1st half term | Exam Preparation – Component 2 |
Summer 2nd half term | Exam Preparation – Component 2 |
Fashion and Textiles
Year 12
Autumn 1st half term | Practice NEA projects based on sustainable design including: • Design processes • Enterprise & Marketing • Fashion cycles • Influences of Fashion & History • Fibres & Fabrics • Smart and Modern Textiles • Fabric Finishes |
Autumn 2nd half term | Practice NEA projects based on sustainable design including: • Design processes • Enterprise & Marketing • Fashion cycles • Influences of Fashion & History • Fibres & Fabrics • Smart and Modern Textiles • Fabric Finishes |
Spring 1st half term | Practice NEA projects based on sustainable design including: • Design processes • Enterprise & Marketing • Fashion cycles • Influences of Fashion & History • Fibres & Fabrics • Smart and Modern Textiles • Fabric Finishes |
Spring 2nd half term | Practice NEA projects based on sustainable design including: • Design processes • Enterprise & Marketing • Fashion cycles • Influences of Fashion & History • Fibres & Fabrics • Smart and Modern Textiles • Fabric Finishes |
Summer 1st half term | Practice NEA projects based on sustainable design including: • Design processes • Enterprise & Marketing • Fashion cycles • Influences of Fashion & History • Fibres & Fabrics • Smart and Modern Textiles • Fabric Finishes |
Summer 2nd half term | Practice NEA projects based on sustainable design including: • Design processes • Enterprise & Marketing • Fashion cycles • Influences of Fashion & History • Fibres & Fabrics • Smart and Modern Textiles • Fabric Finishes |
Year 13
Autumn 1st half term | Assessment of NEA project Iterative design – including: • Surface Decoration & Dyeing • Embroidery • Quilting • Threads • Major Developments in Technology • CAD/ CAM Manufacture • Repair & Disposal • Social, Moral & Ethical • Health and safety |
Autumn 2nd half term | Assessment of NEA project Iterative design – including: • Surface Decoration & Dyeing • Embroidery • Quilting • Threads • Major Developments in Technology • CAD/ CAM Manufacture • Repair & Disposal • Social, Moral & Ethical • Health and safety |
Spring 1st half term | Assessment of NEA project Iterative design – including: • Surface Decoration & Dyeing • Embroidery • Quilting • Threads • Major Developments in Technology • CAD/ CAM Manufacture • Repair & Disposal • Social, Moral & Ethical • Health and safety |
Spring 2nd half term | Assessment of NEA project Iterative design – including: • Surface Decoration & Dyeing • Embroidery • Quilting • Threads • Major Developments in Technology • CAD/ CAM Manufacture • Repair & Disposal • Social, Moral & Ethical • Health and safety |
Summer 1st half term | Examinations |
Summer 2nd half term | N/A |
Food Preparation and Nutrition
Year 9
Autumn 1st half term | Basic skills Food Safety and Hygiene |
Autumn 2nd half term | Nutrient groups including Micro & Macro and Protein |
Spring 1st half term | Health & Safety Fats and Oils Adaptation of Recipes |
Spring 2nd half term | Pastry Making Carbohydrates Pasta Making |
Summer 1st half term | Eat Well Guide Challenge by British Nutrition Foundation Heat Transfer and Fat Soluble Vitamins |
Summer 2nd half term | Raising Agents Sauce Making Gelatinisation |
Year 10
Autumn 1st half term | Nutrient’s Revision Functional and Chemical Protein and Fat Variety of practical tasks |
Autumn 2nd half term | Functional and Chemical Properties – carbohydrates Development of Practical Skills |
Spring 1st half term | Raising Agents Micronutrients/Macronutrient Revision Practical Skills |
Spring 2nd half term | Food Science • Methods of Cooking • Food Safety • Practical Skills |
Summer 1st half term | Factors Affecting • Food Choice • Food Spoilage • Practical Skills |
Summer 2nd half term | Mock NEA 2 Task Practical Skills |
Year 11
Autumn 1st half term | Revision of Nutrients & Functional & Chemical Properties of Food Exam Preparation Practical Skills |
Autumn 2nd half term | Food Science • Methods of Cooking • Factors affecting food choice • Exam preparation • Practical Skills |
Spring 1st half term | NEA 2 |
Spring 2nd half term | NEA 2 |
Summer 1st half term | Exam Revision |
Summer 2nd half term | Exam Revision |
Hospitality and Catering
Year 10
Autumn 1st half term | How foods can cause ill health and developing and improving food practical skills |
Autumn 2nd half term | How foods can cause ill health and developing and improving food practical skills |
Spring 1st half term | Understanding nutrition when planning meals |
Spring 2nd half term | Understanding nutrition when planning meals |
Summer 1st half term | Understanding the environment in which hospitality and catering providers operate Practical work preparing dishes |
Summer 2nd half term | Understanding the environment in which hospitality and catering providers operate Practical work preparing dishes |