Design & Technology


During their Design and Technology lessons our students will learn how to prepare for the ever changing world around them and the challenges that modern technology and a modern workplace will eventually bring.

The subject area of Design & Technology covers a wide spectrum of topics which are taught through a series of projects each year.  At the British School of Chicago, we follow the IPC (www.internationalprimarycurriculum.org), and the British National Curriculum (http://www.nc.uk.net), which gives us guidelines on the areas of learning for each age group and ability level.

During Key Stages 1 and 2, the children are taught through the IPC, to look at the technology around us and how it has an effect on our daily lives.  They are able to access a wide range of materials to help enhance their learning in designing and making during their projects.

In Key Stage 1, the children are encouraged to plan and discuss their ideas freely and use a range of simple tools and materials to make their projects.  During Key Stage 2, the children are now beginning to make products that need to meet a specific need.  Children also think carefully about the planning and design and what tools they will need to complete the task while evaluating and improving as the design process nears completion.

At the next level of their education (ages 9-13), the students will cover Design & Technology in much greater detail within both new and existing topics:

  • Packaging and Manufacturing
  • Technical Drawing (BSI & ANSI), and Graphical Design (2D & 3D)
  • Food Technology and Nutrition
  • CAD / CAM
  • Structures, Forces and Mechanisms
  • Computer Control Systems
  • Levers and Simple Machines
  • Electronics and Electrical Circuits
  • Compliant and Resistant Materials (Wood / Metal / Plastic)
  • Energy Production and Conservation

During their final stage of learning (Age 14-16), the students are asked to specialize  in one particular area of GCSE Design Technology.  This is a two year course which requires a project (60% of final grade), to be completed and two final exams (40% of final grade), to be passed.  At present the students will be following:

  • GCSE Graphic Design

In the future, it is hoped to expand this area and include the options of:

  • GCSE Resistant Materials
  • GCSE Systems and Control
  • GCSE Product Design

Further information on these courses and how they affect their future education (including IB program and College / University entrance), can be gained by visiting the AQA web site (www.aqa.org.uk).

Throughout their education our aim is to offer the best environment for learning and to encourage them to expand their creative thinking (the best question they can ask is 'why'?), through the use of hands-on exercises, multimedia resources, field trips and interactive web sites.

The Design & Technology Department sets regular homework and offeres help during lunchtimes and after school.  There is also a Design & Technology Club each week in which students can learn about a variety of topics related to the Design Technology syllabus.

Please feel free to contact either Mr. Davies or Mr. Biggs should you have any further questions regarding the subject area: