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Design & Technology - KS3

Students at SJB study Design and Technology to become individuals who are equipped with the skills, understanding and responsibility for shaping the world for future generations. Curiosity, creativity, adaptability, independence, and problem solving underpin everything we do.

Design and Technology at SJB is a creative, practical and challenging subject. Students use imagination to design and make products that solve real problems, considering the needs and values of others. They build knowledge across subjects such as maths, science, engineering, computing and art, while developing skills to take risks, think innovatively and work resourcefully. By studying past and present design and addressing issues such as sustainability, we help students appreciate how design shapes daily life and the wider world. Our Design and Technology curriculum at SJB nurtures creativity and contributes to culture, wellbeing and the future economy.

Below you can find the key documents that we share with students. These provide an overview of what we study, when in the key stage and how we assess students.

D&T Curriculum Map Catholic Social Teaching Principles in D&T Yr 7 Assessment Framework D&T Yr 8 Assessment Framework D&T

Yr 9 Assessment Framework D&T

Please click below to find out more about what our students learn in each year group:

All KS3 lessons work on a rotation system which includes two terms in Design and Technology, and one term in Food.

Year 7: Introduction to Design and Technology

Projects include:

Welcome to DT
Design History
Origins of materials
Name plate project: Introduction to timbers properties and processes, health and safety in the workshop, workshop skills
CAD/CAM puzzle and pouch: Introduction to computer aided design and manufacture and basic textiles skills
Isometric drawing
Picture frame project: Bauhaus design movement and introduction to polymer properties and processes

All KS3 lessons work on a rotation system which includes two terms in Design and Technology, and one term in Food.

Year 8: Seeing the bigger picture of Design and Technology

Projects include:

Perspective drawing
Design Movements: Understanding the work of others.
Three metal Tealight project: Introduction to metal properties, processes and impact.
Sustainable keyring project: Sustainability and the environment and packaging design.
Mechanical toy project: Understanding mechanical systems and paper and board techniques.

All KS3 lessons work on a rotation system which includes two terms in Design and Technology, and one term in Food.

In Year 9, students focus on one main project per term, exploring the areas of Materials and Graphics. These projects are more in-depth, designed to deepen students' understanding of the two specialist areas offered in Design Technology at GCSE level.

Year 9: The future of Design and Technology

In both Materials and Graphics students are introduced to the NEA (Non-Exam Assessment) process, which includes:

Identifying a need
Designing for a client and target market
Product analysis
Iterative design and manufacture

This foundation prepares students for the expectations of GCSE Design and Technology.

Specific skills developed include:

Graphics:

Branding and creative digital design
Design development and modelling,
CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design and Manufacture)
Net surface design
Paper and board modelling

Materials:

Timber properties and fabrication fabrication processes,
Pracitcal workshop skills,
CAD/CAM
Physical modelling techniques

Enrichment in our department plays a vital role in helping students think creatively and solve real-world problems beyond the classroom. We endeavour to provide opportunities that develop essential skills for future careers and everyday life. Please see our opportunities that we offer at KS3:

DT Club – Open to Years 7 and 8, giving students the chance to extend their Design and Technology learning beyond the classroom.
SATRO Stadium Workshop – All Year 8/9 students take part in a STEM team challenge to design and model a multi-sport arena. Acting as Architects, Engineers and Accountants, they share responsibility for the project and present their work. This links classroom learning to careers and provides valuable employer encounters.
SATRO Problem Solving Challenge – Each year, we host and compete in this exciting engineering challenge, with KS3, KS4, and KS5 teams going head-to-head against schools from across the South East. Students work collaboratively to solve real-world engineering problems, gaining valuable hands-on experience while strengthening their teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills. The event also offers students the chance to connect with professionals from the engineering industry, broadening their horizons and inspiring future careers.
Institution of Engineering and Technology Faraday Challenge – Selected Year 8 students represent our school in this prestigious national STEM competition, where they tackle real-world engineering challenges set by industry experts. Through the IET Faraday Challenge, students develop their engineering knowledge while building valuable skills in teamwork, problem-solving, public speaking and presentation skills and creative thinking—gaining practical experience and a taste of future career opportunities in STEM.
Computer Science & DT cross curricular club - Invited Year 9 students introduced to physical computing through Arduino boards, integrating programming, electronics, and DT skills to create interactive projects.

Faraday 5 Satro KS3

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