Design & Technology in Year 7 & 8

Our Year 7 & 8 students (A1s & As) are transferred to senior school site, to attend specialist design & technology classes with our senior school teaching staff, on Thursday afternoons.

The Year 7s go up to the senior school department during first half of the Autumn & Summer terms. The Year 8s go up during the second half of the Autumn & Summer terms. 

Their Design & Technology curriculum has been developed to introduce our students to:

• The principles of the design process
• Brainstorm issues surrounding a set brief, how to research and establish the design criteria
• Graphically generate a range of ideas in response to the brief
• Evaluate, select and develop their most suitable design ideas
• Produce detailed drawings, in orthographic projection and in isometric
• Use CAD/CAM to improve the quality of their outcomes
• The working characteristics of resistant materials, focusing on woods, metals & polymers
• A wide range of material processing techniques for woods, metals and polymers
• Subjectively evaluate and review their design & practical outcomes

During the Year 7 & 8 senior school sessions, the students will work through a range of projects designed to introduce them to secondary Design & Technology, working with a wide range of associated workshop skills and techniques, with a focus on Resistant Materials and Product Design.

 
In 2022-23 we are due to be running the following projects:

Year 7 'Wind Chimes' project

This unit opens with a graphical focus in which the students develop their ability to accurately present their design ideas. They are then introduced to a wide range of tools and equipment to the produce a high quality hardwood support platform, cut, drill and polish a range of metal tubes and they laser cut a bespoke wind vane, before stringing all the components together. Across the 6 week project, the students will be expected to complete 3 or 4 supporting assignments.

Year 7 'Candle Holder' project

This unit offers the students an opportunity to design a ‘flat packable’ tea light holder using a cross halving joint to support a battery powered tea light. The students are then expected to design a 2D, laser cut net, which is then scored and folded to package, protect and promote the sale of the product. Across the 5 week project, the students will be expected to complete 3 or 4 supporting assignments.

Year 8 'Resin Light' project

This project introduces soldering, resin casting, injection moulding and enables further use of the laser cutter. The students gain the experience of basic soft soldering, prior to producing a former within which they pour tinted resin. The resin enclosed 12 volt light is sandwiched between a timber base and lid, which are then complimented with injection moulded feet and a laser cut pattern on the top. Across the 6 week project, the students will be expected to complete 3 or 4 supporting assignments.

Year 8 'Sublimatables' project

This unit has been developed to work in conjunction with their ICT lessons in which they are expected to produce a high quality graphic design. This graphic is then printed onto sublimation paper and pressed onto a variety of produces including place mats, coasters, puzzles, mugs and t shirts. Across the five-week project, the students will be expected to complete 3 or 4 supporting assignments.

Both the Prep School and the Senior School will display a collection of the design and practical outcomes at their annual exhibitions.

If you have any queries regarding the Year 7 & 8 Design & Technology curriculum, please email the Head of Design & Technology, Mr. Christopher Mills cjm@bryanston.co.uk