“If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.“
– Ken Robinson

Powerful Knowledge in CAD/CAM

​Powerful knowledge is the realisation that most of the items or products we interact with on a daily basis are designed by humans, for humans for a reason. Students should be made aware that Design and Invention provide solutions for human needs and desires. Students are to know that design is there to aid comfort, transport, physical needs, communication, health and also for aesthetic reasons. Real world problems are used to develop the students understanding of the huge, life-changing role and impact a designer can have:

  • A knowledge of important design influences and how these can be considered when designing.
  • An understanding of the design process using iterative design to try to avoid design fixation.
  • Knowledge of materials, their origins, strengths and weaknesses, to help develop outcomes that are more realistic.
  • A good understanding of how environment considerations can impact design decisions, positively and negatively.
  • Sustainability in materials and power.
  • Understanding of ergonomics and anthropometrics.

All students should be able to apply the iterative design process to provide solutions to given problems developing the ability to argue, justify and present with confidence and clarity. Powerful – to discuss, experiment, evaluate, discuss, experiment (and repeat) = the iterative design process.

Curriculum Features

  • Our curriculum is built around real world problem-based learning. Students are taught to provide solutions amicably and realistically. Throughout KS3 students will work on individual projects. In Year 9 they are taught to generate initial group solutions which are then further developed on an individual basis.
  • Year 8 Sustainable living: Focus on Sustainable Architecture – Solution based project with a CAD outcome to cover sustainability in design considering the needs of users, the use of materials, and power. Design work will allow students to develop an understanding of 3d CAD using industry standard software.
  • Year 9 Inclusive design: Focus on user centred design. Solution based project to cover, the concept of inclusivity, anthropometrics and ergonomics. Students will prototype and test throughout to have an understanding of the iterative process. Oracy and rhetoric is an essential feature of year 9 learning as students will need to communicate in teams as well as presenting their ideas to others.

Co-curricular Enrichment

Subject specific enrichment will be available at lunchtime and after school to help students push to achieve their best. Trips and visits are offered to expose students to the world of design and to take part in workshops delivered by specialists from industry. This is important to us to ensure students get a real-life taste of Design and Engineering. To further open students to careers, STEM specialists, industry practitioners, designers, ex-students will also visit school to work with students to inspire and motivate.

Competitions take place and are accessible to all, furthermore some competitions target specific groups. Electives are offered for each year group throughout the year. The DEC award allows students to further explore their enthusiasm for the built environment. It also enables students to apply extracurricular gained knowledge to timetabled lessons.

The Enterprise clubs allows students to come up with ideas of products to design, make and sell giving an opportunity to further develop CAD/CAM skills and to have an opportunity to raise money for charities.