Creative Technology
The Faculty of Creative Technology at St James’ Catholic High School is staffed by seven teachers who specialise in the different subject areas. Within the faculty we deliver lessons at Key Stage 3 and 4 in ICT, Product Design and Food Technology with the addition of Business and Communication Systems at Key Stage 4.
Design & Technology at KS3
In Years 7, 8 and 9 the students follow a product design course consisting of five main elements food, resistant materials, CAD/CAM, basic electronics and graphic products. Each element is taught on a rotational basis.
All pupils at KS3 will be introduced to the design process using 'P.R.I.M.E.' (Planning, Research, Ideas, Making and Evaluation). Safety (and hygiene) issues related to the different areas of technology will be covered in detail concurrently with the use of equipment. There will also be emphasis on 'making' skills and the terminology involved in Product Design and Technology.
According to which module is being studied on the rotation, the following aspects/projects will be covered:
Year 7
Food – Licence to cook (module 1+2) Pupils are introduced to the importance of hygiene, food safety and nutrient.
Resistant Materials Element - Biscuit cutter, pre-school child's jigsaw and desktop/storage tidy
CAD/CAM Element - Electronic moisture sensor with 2D design packaging.
Product Design/Textiles Element – Softie, research, design and make project.
Year 8
Food: - Licence to cook – (module 3+4) Pupils complete a design and make project on multicultural ‘cook and chill’ meals.
Resistant Materials - handheld aluminium dish and stand and ball bearing maze travel game
CAD/CAM - Vacuum formed desk tidy/jewellery stand.
Product Design/Textiles – Environmental campaign. Plastic environmental mascot.
Year 9
The year group will continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of the design process (P.R.I.M.E) in preparation for KS4 where they will have the opportunity to take Product Design and Food to GCSE level. Pupils will follow a carousel rotation as in Year’s 7and 8.
Food: Pupils concentrate on two modules: Module 1 = bread, cakes and pastry development. Module 2: Fairtade products.
Resistant Materials: Art Deco creativity project
Product Design/Textiles - Chinese culture research. Develop Chinese lantern with graphical input
Design & Technology at KS4 - Using research and graphica related homeworks, the pupils develop an awareness of the Art Deco period. Combinating in a small projct that reflects this design period.
CAD/CAM - Pupils to undertake a projcet to create either a room sign, picture frame and/or a wall clock.
Year 10
In both year groups pupils have the opportunity to take Product Design and Food to GCSE level.
GCSE level
During year 10 pupils develop through different focused tasks and minor projects, knowledge, skills and a deeper understanding of the requirements for their major project which they start early in the summer term.
On both courses pupils will develop awareness and consideration of the many design issues that affect products - spiritual, moral, ethical, social, cultural environmental, health and safety and European issues. There is also a large emphasis on industrial and commercial practices, ICT and CAD/CAM
Year 11
In year 11 pupils embark on completing a coursework portfolio and practical element(s) related to a project outline and design brief. In food this entails a controlled assessment. In product design a similar coursework demands are required, pupils have to present a design portfolio supported by a feasible commercial product, CAD/CAM and paper and card components. The controlled assessment is worth 60% of the final GCSE.
Specific subject theory knowledge is further improved by homework, examination questions and testing. The examination is worth 40% of the final GCSE.
ICT Year 7
Year 7 pupils receive two single periods of ICT per fortnight, and study the following modules:
An Introduction to Information Technology
E-Safety
Spreadsheet modelling
Animation
Data and information
Investigating the school website
ICT Year 8
Year 8 pupils receive two single periods of ICT per fortnight, and study the following modules:
Spreadsheet modelling
Control
Databases
Photoshop - Audience and purpose
Sound
ICT Year 9
Year 9 pupils receive two single periods of ICT per fortnight, and study the following modules:
Graphics and Business Documentation
Spreadsheet modelling
Music mix
Databases
Video shoot
GCSE ICT – Years 10 and 11 AQA GCSE Specification 
Students will learn how to use and design information and communication systems to carry out tasks and solve problems. They will develop experience of the range of communication systems and their applications and understand both their capabilities and limitations.
Content of the Course
Practical skills include using:
Databases
Spreadsheets
Charts
Word processing
Mail merging
Web design
Students must also develop skills of analysis, design, implementation, testing and evaluation as they apply their practical skills.
The theory section of the course will cover:
Information systems
Computer hardware
Operating systems
Data handling
User interfaces
Software development
Networks and communications
Legislation and security
ICT and its effect on society
Health and safety issues
Coursework
There are two pieces of coursework. The exam board provides the first and the second is developed by the students themselves.
Scheme of Assessment
A final exam counts for 40% of the final mark and the coursework counts for 60%
GCSE Business and Communication Studies is a practical introduction to ICT and business systems It equips pupils with skills that will follow them into jobs and further education.
TWO PAPERS
Two Tiers of Entry:
Foundation Tier (Grades C - G)
Higher Tier (Grades A* - D)
Theory paper – 1 hour
Worth 33% of the final mark
A mixture of short and extended answers required
All based on the subject content
Controlled test - 2 hours
66% of the final mark
Externally set
Completed on the computer
You will study
Applications of ICT
Business practice
People in the workplace
Communication
How the law protects people in the workplace
How to prepare business documents, including CV writing
How to use software commonly used in the workplace
How business and communications systems are used in the workplace
Learning outside the classroom
Practical activities including taking learning outside the classroom, encouraging the pupils to consolidate what they have learnt.
Trips out, including Cadbury World which allows pupils to see how a major organisation operates.