Design and Technology (Year 9)
See Year 9 Design & Technology ‘Schedule of Learning’ for the 2025/26 academic year
| Topic | Sub-topic |
|---|---|
| The Work of Others | Architecture/Zaha Hadid/Research techniques |
| The Work of Others | Architecture/Zaha Hadid/Presentation techniques/ Self-Assessment |
| Design Inspiration | Biomimicry/South East Asia/Research techniques |
| Design Inspiration | Biomimicry/South East Asia/Research techniques |
| Creative Thinking | Architecture/Biomimicry/South Asia/Design techniques |
| Creative Thinking | Architecture/Biomimicry/South Asia/Design techniques |
| Design Movements | Bauhaus/Research techniques/Product Analysis |
| Design Movements | Bauhaus/Research techniques/Product Analysis |
| Design Strategies/Techniques | Ideation/Crating/Colour application |
| Design Strategies/Techniques | 2pt-perspective/Self Assessment |
| Design Strategies/Techniques | Crating/Colour application/2pt-perspective |
| Modelling – Materials, Techniques and Finishes | Architecture/Project Planning/QC/Dimensions & Proportions/Economical Use of Materials |
| Modelling – Materials, Techniques and Finishes | Architecture/Project Planning/QC/Dimensions & Proportions/Economical Use of Materials |
| Modelling – Materials, Techniques and Finishes | Creative Thinking/Design Detail/QC/Dimensions & Proportions |
| Modelling – Materials, Techniques and Finishes | Creative Thinking/Design Detail/QC/Dimensions & Proportions |
| Analysing and Evaluating | Presentation Skills/CAD |
| Analysing and Evaluating | Presentation Skills/CAD |
| Engineering Challenge(s) – Corrugated Card Chair | Problem Solving/Teamwork/Leadership |
| Creative Thinking – Platform of JOY | Emotive Design/Constructive Discontent/Research Techniques |
| Creative Thinking – Platform of JOY | Emotive Design/Blue Sky Thinking/Constructive Discontent/Design Strategies |
| Creative Thinking – Platform of JOY | Emotive Design/Design Strategies/Presentation Techniques/ Self Assessment |
| Research & Investigation Methods – Innovation Team Challenge | Fruit Salad Reinvented/Thinking Different/Creativity and Flair/Teamwork |
| Food – Ingredients, Techniques and Finishes | Final Idea – Weighing and Measuring Out/Cutting and Preparing/Presentation/Quality Control/Creativity and Flair/Teamwork |
| Revision Techniques | Design Periods/Design Influences/Design Techniques/Metals/Woods/Plastics/Processes/H&S/Environmental Issues |
| Y9 exams (all subjects) | |
| Engineering Challenge(s) – ??? | |
| Wood – Materials, Techniques and Finishes | Laminating & Bending/Jigs & Formers |
| The Work of Others | Inspirational Designers/The History of Skateboards/Embellishment Techniques |
| Wood – Materials, Techniques and Finishes | Embellishment Techniques/CAD |
| Wood – Materials, Techniques and Finishes | Embellishment Techniques/CAD |
| Wood – Materials, Techniques and Finishes | Embellishment Techniques/CAD |
What will you study?
2 lessons per week
Over the course of the three terms, you will study the following projects, making use of the various tools, machinery and resources within the department:
Autumn Term
Architectural and Biomimicry Study:
– Explore the work of Others – Zaha Hadid
Spring Term
Future Food Truck Superstars:
– Combining all of your design skills you will develop a brand, food truck design and ready to go meal of your choice.
– You will learn about advertising, marketing, brand identity and how to put together a business plan.
Summer Term
Skateboard (Inspired by the history of skateboarding exhibition at the Design Museum):
– You will design and make a statement skateboard.
– You will learn about different embellishment and finishing techniques such as lino-printing, spray painting, pyrography, and screen printing.
There will also be sessions on research skills, CAD, sketching techniques (2pt-perspective), modelling and evaluation strategies.
Useful tips and resources
How can you prepare for Design Technology at Sutton High? (non-web based)
Take an interest in the World around you – take photos of things that catch your eye, practice your sketching and doodling.
Visit the departmental and school libraries and explore the books and resources on offer.
Visit the V&A and Design Museums and view the exhibitions on Design and beyond.
The following tips and resources are useful to help in preparing you for Year 9:
(web based)
What is Biomimicry?
The Bauhaus – everywhere
The FUN Theory
The Power of Design
Perspective Drawing Tutorial
What super curricular activities can KS3 students engage with at school?
STEM Club – come along and try out various STEM based activities throughout the year. Activities include Ice-cream making, bath bombs, paddle boats, 3D-printing and much more. This club runs after school twice a week.
Manga Club – come along and hone your graphic marker skills, sketching out your favourite manga style characters or creating original works of your own. This club runs after school for 2 terms.
CAD Club – come along and experiment with CAD and CAM, learning how to use CAD packages such as 2D-design, Fusion 360 and Spaceclaim, and using the Laser cutter and 3D-printer to realise your designs. This club runs after school for 2 terms.
See Year 7 Form
– Explore Biomimicry
– Experiment with different design techniques and strategies including marker rendering and collage.
– Design your very own Biomimicry inspired building that could make up part of the London skyline of the future.
Bauhaus Architectural Modelling Project:
– Investigate the Bauhaus design movement (possibly the most influential design movement of all time), using De Bono’s Hats to analyse some of the most inspirational Bauhaus products.
– Explore different design techniques and strategies including marker rendering and CAD.
– Develop and refine your modelling/making skills, using a range of different techniques including CAM to create your very own Bauhaus inspired architectural model.