During Key Stage 3, students will be given the opportunity to work through a variety of different projects which will help develop a wide variety of different skills, ranging from practical skills making a final outcome, to computer skills in putting together a portfolio and creating virtual 3D models. Every student is encouraged to finish their work to the best of their ability
Year 7
Autumn Term: Tile puzzle
Year 7 begins with students learning about three of the most widely used materials; plastics, woods and metals. Students will learn the properties of these materials through theory work, then have the opportunity to understand the working properties by creating the tile puzzle in the workshop. The project is designed to teach students how to cut, shape and finish a variety of different materials to a high standard. As well as the physical model they make, students will learn how to made a 3D model of their designs using CAD. Students will be assessed on the quality of their practical work, as well as the theory knowledge they have learnt.
Spring Term: Mechanical Toy
In order the develop the students cutting and finishing skills learnt in term one, the next project that they work on in the mechanical toy. This project is designed to develop the student’s ability to work to close tolerances with connecting and moving parts, correctly shaped and positioned, in order the produce a working mechanical toy. As a part of this project, students are introduced to a second CAD software which will allow them to laser cut a personal design to be part of their final piece. Integrating CAD and CAM into the KS3 curriculum projects from the very beginning is a vital part of the subject intent. The students will be assessed on the quality of their practical work as well as their CAD skills.
Summer Term: Acrylic phone holder
The final project of Year 7 is the acrylic phone holder. Students will be able to recall experience in working with plastics from their tile puzzle project at the beginning of the year and put the knowledge they gained of CAD and CAM to good use to design a simple, yet functional phone holder. The students will be assessed on their CAD skills and the theory topics they have studied during the year; woods, metals, plastics, tools and CAD terminology.
Year 8
Students have three lessons over two weeks and will complete three different projects over the course of the year. Each product will allow students to develop their CAD skills as well as their portfolio and practical skills.
Autumn Term:
A carousel year – each class will be on a rotation of teachers and projects.
Upcycled speaker
Students will be introduced to electronics for the first time and will assemble and solder a speaker circuit together. They will learn what the various electronic components do within the circuit and develop soldering skills in order to create a working PCB. Students will also develop their understanding of sustainability by bringing and creating their own casing from materials that would otherwise be thrown away.
Structures and computer control
A group work project where students design and produce a scaled bridge structure using CAD and then have the opportunity to physically model the solution. Once completed these structures are tested to destruction to see how much force they can withstand. Students will witness the forces of tension, compression, shear and torsion through the study of various CAD simulations.
Spring Term: Wooden Box
This project is designed to test the student’s ability to work to close tolerance and produce a finger jointed storage box out of a natural timber. Students will learn how to join timbers together and use a variety of different hand tools to replicate a ‘master’ box and its dimensions. Marks will be awarded for how close the students follow the working drawings of the box and its overall quality of finish, alongside a timber-based theory assessment.
Year 9
In Year 9 students have only one lesson a week. They will complete two projects in this year, either both with one teacher or between two teachers, one for each project.
Autumn Term: Metal bike lock
This course introduces students to some of the traditional metalworking skills. These include lathe work, bench work, forging, and shaping, drilling, filing and shaping. Students will reinforce knowledge in CAD, by creating a virtual model of their bike lock, as well as creating working drawings alongside a portfolio. These skills will be taught through a practical project made from mild steel.
Spring Term: Traditionally made photo frame
This course allows students to laminate different timbers together and use them to create a wooden photo frame. This project is designed to showcase some traditional woodworking skills, such as laminating and wood planing, as well as creating traditional wood joints which include a mortice and tenon joint and a housing joint. Although many products have some element of technology to them, it is important not to forget the traditional ways of fabrication.