Engineering
Vision
We want our students to understand D&T as an integral part of STEM subjects. We want students have a confident knowledge and appreciation of the overlapping skills between DT, maths and science. We want our students to feel confident around the principles underpinning manufacturing, design and construction and have a clear sense of how this plays a part within the wider world.
Our vision for D&T overlaps with the vision for computing: we both share the belief that the students should feel confident navigating an increasingly technology- fuelled society.
How do we build on what students learn at KS2?
We want to ensure that our students are thoroughly supported in their transition from KS2 to KS3 D&T. Lessons in Year 7 are mainly focused on design fundamentals, practical skill, and safety procedures in a workshop to ensure that they confident in working in a D&T classroom
How do we cover the KS3 National Curriculum and beyond?
We believe that covering the KS3 National Curriculum is hugely important but we also recognise how crucial it is for students to be exposed to wider knowledge beyond this.
We ensure that we cover the KS3 National Curriculum by covering the following:
Year 7: Develop and communicate design ideas using annotated sketches, detailed plans, 3-D and mathematical modelling, select from and use specialist tools, techniques and processes.
Year 8: Identify and solve their own design problems and understand how to reformulate problems given to them, select from and use equipment and machinery precisely, test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products against a specification, considering the views of intended users and other interested groups
Year 9: develop specifications to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that respond to needs in a variety of situations, select from, and use a wider, more complex range of materials, components, and ingredients, taking into account their properties
Beyond the curriculum, we provide:
- Engineering club
- F1 Club
- Women in Engineering Day
- Engineering Design Competition
What do we cover in KS4 and how do we aspire towards KS5?
We ensure that our curriculum builds upon key, foundational ideas that are covered in key stage 3 and that KS4 assessment criteria is covered in a sequenced and thoughtful way.
Year 10: we build on the knowledge gained in KS3 curriculum covering a range of design and manufacturing techniques. Students are then challenged by being introduced to more complex machining processes such as turning and milling along with a more in-depth study in CAD/CAM and the role that plays in industry. During Y10 they gain the necessary knowledge and skills to complete their WJEC coursework Unit 1 which equates to 40% of the overall grade. At Birchwood we follow the WJEC engineering exam board as we believe that the course offered is the best choice for students who have an interest in engineering and are considering pursuing it as a career as it offers both the academic rigour and essential practical skills that both colleges and apprenticeship employer are looking for.
Year 11: our focus is on developing the knowledge from year 10 in to being more analytical and innovative thinkers. More emphasis is on the design element within engineering as students complete unit 2- creating a portfolio demonstrating their understanding of the design process and ability to design products that are user centred. At the end of year 11, students undertake the exam proportion of the course which represents 40% of the final grade. Content for the exam is largely covered in units 1 and 2 with the addition of some mathematical modelling questions and a study into mechanical, structural and technological developments that effect the modern world we live in.
We want to ensure that our students are ready for life beyond KS4. For this reason, we aim to cultivate a love of engineering, beyond school- life.
To do this, we:
- Industry/ career links with guest speakers
- Trips
- References to university/ A levels
- References to more complex skills/ subject matter
KS3 Curriculum Overview
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Why Then? Why Now? |
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Aim: At birchwood we aim to equip our students with a broad range of technical and practical skills, providing opportunities for students to develop their capability. By combining their design and making skills with knowledge and understanding they learn to create and design quality products. |
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Objectives: To achieve this we will give students opportunity to work across several different creative and practical subjects. |
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Year 7 Overview |
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Overview |
Engineering |
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Initially in engineering students will develop and communicate design ideas using annotated sketches, detailed plans, 3-D and mathematical modelling such as learning to draw in isometric projection. This will help student become more confident in communicating ideas through this media and should support them with the manufacturing process as they start to understand the form of 3D products. It is essential to embed manufacturing knowledge in year 7 as a foundation for all other years so that students can select from and use specialist tools, this is covered in our curriculum by students completing a short skills audit by making a small wooden robot that allows them to practice techniques and processes. All lessons are underpinned with a health and safety theme which will run through y7 to y11 as working safely is the priority in any practical setting. The final product will be a small LED lamp where students will embed electronic components into a multi material casing learning how to manipulate a range of materials into different forms.
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Why |
Most students arrive with little to no experience of practical work so initially we teach design skills and isometric drawing as this usually has been covered in KS2 and it allows us to develop that knowledge into a practical understanding of how design communicates into manufacturing. This then leads into the skills audit which is essentially a skills assessment where student learn how to identify essential tools for measuring and cutting and equipment such as drills and sanding acting as the foundation to all other practical work in engineering lessons in KS3&4. Health and safety are taught prior to all practical lessons in a rotation this to ensure that students are confident and can work safely. Once students have a competency in manufacturing skills, they produce their final product an LED which gives them autonomy on the product manufactured allowing them to demonstrate the skills that they have learnt over the course. |
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Building and revisiting from KS2 |
· Students will revisit mathematical types of drawing such as isometric drawing. · Students will build on general knowledge of classroom safety to develop awareness of the safe practices in a workshop. · Students will have the opportunity to build on materials knowledge and develop their understanding of properties of materials. |
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Assessment |
Recall of key words to retain key knowledge – Recall 5. RAP KAST test end of rotation Verbal over the shoulder from teacher |
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Year 8 Overview |
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Overview |
Year 8 revisits the practical skills and health and safety covered in y7 with a mini skills assessment where student manufacture a range of wood joints following the manufacturing specification given to them. The main project in year 8 is a mechanical engineering challenge where students create a small-scale catapult in pairs which gives opportunities to collaborate and encourages teamwork. They will need to identify and solve their own design problems along the way and understand how to reformulate problems given to them such as budget restrictions and performance requirements. Students will learn about the different advanced mechanical components involved in moving products to develop their understanding of how things work(such as robotics and automotive machinery etc) Students will learn how to test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products against a specification as well as learning to tabulate results to be able to analyse progress and efficiency. |
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Why |
Revisiting the skills is essential as it important to establish how much they have retained to assess how much content needs to be retaught from Y7. Students will then be taught about advanced mechanical components such as Cams, levers and linkages to support the students understanding of mechanical movement to aid design ideas. Students will then begin the design and building of the catapult this project allows students to use their creativity and innovate all the while learning how to adapt to changes and adhering to the needs of a customer or product demand which is an essential part of an engineer’s role. |
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Building and revisiting |
· Students build on the practical skills working on familiar materials. · Students will revisit tools and equipment used in year 7. · Students will revisit materials studied in year 7
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Assessment |
Recall of key words to retain key knowledge – Recall 5. RAP KAST test end of rotation Verbal over the shoulder from teacher |
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Year 9 Overview |
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Overview |
Engineering y9 will have an emphasis on careers initially looking at significant figures within engineering and the impact that they have had on the modern world and how technology has developed through their innovation. Year 9 will focus on the whole design, make, and evaluate process that most product designers follow when manufacturing a product from idea all the way through to completion. They will draw on the knowledge gained in lower school to complete the final design of an electronic speaker with one key restriction working with sustainable (reusing) materials. This will introduce students to the challenges that designers face today with more and more restrictions on plastics and a technological push towards more reusable design. |
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Why |
Year 9 will be the last opportunity for students to complete any kind of design and technology based project o it is important the project is given full scope so that they can pull together all the different subject knowledge they have learnt over the KS3 lessons and develop them to become confident design students who can adapt and innovate in the face of modern day issues. |
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Building and revisiting |
· Students build on the practical skills working on familiar materials. · Students will revisit tools and equipment used in year 8.
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Assessment |
Recall of key words to retain key knowledge – Recall 5. RAP Topic Quiz KAST test end of rotation Verbal over the shoulder from teacher |
KS4 Curriculum Overview
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Year 10&11 |
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Winter Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
Winter Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
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Now I Know |
Mock Unit 3 – Bicycle Investigation Mock Unit 2 – CAD Development Skills |
Unit 1
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Unit 2
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Unit 3 – Max the Xam |
Unit 3 – Max the Xam |
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Knowledge: |
Knowledge: |
Knowledge: |
Knowledge: |
Knowledge: |
Knowledge: |
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Engineering Drawing Material Suitability Material Stock Equipment Tools Machining Requirements Safe Working Practice Health and Safety |
SWOT Analysis Functional Properties Design Sketches Design Development Materials Sizes Tolerances Cost Calculation Operational Parameters CAD/CAM |
Engineering Drawing Time Management Materials Manufacturing
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CAD Engineering Drawing Sketching Material Manufacturing Processes
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Gears Levers Pulleys Mechanical advantage Linear Dimensions Datum Points Ohm’s Law Current Resistance Voltage
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Material Developments Engineering Design Smart Materials Electronics Impact of Tech on Society Risk Assessment Math’s in Engineering
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Key Concepts: |
Key Concepts: |
Key Concepts: |
Key Concepts: |
Key Concepts: |
Key Concepts: |
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Introduction to Engineering Manufacture (WIND VANE)– Skills building for engineering workshop processes and interpretation of engineering information. Understanding how Engineering Drawings are used in manufacturing. Presenting Key information tasks. Planning manufacturing stages. Engineering drawings to BS8888. |
Mock Examination focusing on BS8888 Engineering Drawing. Unit 3 focused investigation – Structural Design (Bicycles). Testing – Learners gain familiarity with simple testing techniques. Unit 2 mock design task (Speaker Project) – Focus on designing Engineered Solutions for addressing the Unit 2 Brief. Focus on: Sketching, iterative process, manufacturing specifications and CAD/traditional Engineering drawing skills |
Complete Unit 1 manufacturing task Review functional characteristics of Unit 1 design. Unit 3 Focus – Materials and properties of materials in products (mobile phones, security alarms, bicycles & children’s play areas). Focus on calculations and mathematical techniques as detailed in course specification. Introduction to Unit 2 task. |
Complete Unit 2 Design task. |
Unit 3 focused investigation – Mechanical design (theme parks) & Electronic Design (Mobile phone & Smart technology). Focused Unit 1 Mock Task – Learners manufacture an outcome from a given set of engineering drawings and technical data. Focus on extracting engineering information, planning, manufacturing, and safety. Evaluation techniques to review manufactured outcomes. Learners undertake Unit 1 Task (Analysis & Planning) |
Focus on Unit 3 examination preparation Material developments including Smart materials and their application in Engineering Design. The impact of the development in electronics and how they have impacted on engineered products. Learners undertake small workshop tasks to enforce understanding of manufacturing processes. Understanding and applying risk assessment. Understanding common engineering drawing standards. |
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Key Vocabulary: |
Key Vocabulary: |
Key Vocabulary: |
Key Vocabulary: |
Key Vocabulary: |
Key Vocabulary: |
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Data Sheets Detail Views Engineering Drawing Isometric Drawing Job Sheets Manufacturing Specification Material Stock Sizes Orthographic Projection Planning Documentation Risk Assessment Sectional View Third Angle Projection Title Block Tolerance |
Anthropometrics BS8888 Conventions CAD Visuals Datum Points Engineering Drawing Ergonomics Isometric View Manufacturing Specification Orthographic View Testing |
Anthropometrics BS8888 Conventions CAD Visuals Datum Points Engineering Drawing Ergonomics Isometric View Manufacturing Specification Orthographic View Testing |
Data Sheets Detail Views Engineering Drawing Isometric Drawing Job Sheets Manufacturing Specification Material Stock Sizes Orthographic Projection Planning Documentation Risk Assessment Sectional View Third Angle Projection Title Block Tolerance |
Anthropometrics BS8888 Conventions CAD Visuals Datum Points Engineering Drawing Ergonomics Isometric View Manufacturing Specification Orthographic View Testing |
Destructive and non destructive testing Electronic Design Engineering Design Isometric Views Mechanical Advantage Mechanical Design Ohms Law Orthographic View Smart Technologies Structural Design Sustainable Materials Velocity Ratio |
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Assessment:
Practical Assessments Class Quizzes Questions on Materials and process.
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Assessment:
Class Quizzes Theory Mock Exam Questions on engineering Drawings |
Assessment:
Mock UNIT 2 Internal Assessment
Mock Exam – Unit 3 |
Assessment:
Internal Assessment 40% Sub May/June
Mock Exam – Unit 3 |
Assessment:
Internal Assessment 20% Sub May/June |
Assessment:
Mock Exam Class Quizzes
40% External Exam May/June
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