Resistant Materials
Key Stage 3: Year 7 & 8 Resistant Materials
In year 7 Students are introduced to Resistant Materials through a range of projects that show them ways of working with wood, metal and plastic. These projects are designed to help the students become accustomed to using various tools used in the workshop and are the ideal groundwork for the following years.
In year 8 students expand their skills by creating more challenging products that encourage creativity and force them to problem solve through design. They use a range of techniques to create both a practical working product and the packaging for it to be sold in. The obvious pathway from Year 8 Resistant Materials is to opt for it at Year 9 and then do the GCSE in one year, in Year 10.
Year 9 Resistant Materials
Students are introduced to what Resistant Materials is all about if they opt for it at the end of Year 8. This course allows them to study the subject for six months, and they will learn a huge range of different skills from working with wood metal and plastic to designing using Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Manufacture (CAD /CAM). Again, students who enjoy practical lessons, have a flare for design or are very good on the computer would do well on this course. Currently, students are working on creating photo frames, clocks and jigsaw puzzles. These products are then displayed on a website that they will have designed. They will create a range of ideas, plans, technical drawings and exploded views for their designs. They will also be taught how to model their ideas in 3D using computers and test them in a virtual reality environment.
Students will also be assessed throughout the unit and will be awarded a Bronze or Silver Arts Award. This will look very appealing to future colleges, universities and employers as it shows you are a rounded individual with spark & talent.
Key Stage 4: What does the Resistant Materials GCSE course involve?
This course is taught in one year in either Y10 or Y11. It is intended for students who enjoy designing and making tasks.
Students will be given a set design brief or problem to solve through design. They must research into possible solutions and then design and manufacture a product that works. Some past briefs used have included modern coffee tables, laptop tables, themed toys, chairs and many more. have a flare for design, who can use computer design programs well, and are practically minded. The course is challenging yet it offers a huge variety of outcomes and we exhibit the work every year in the summer.
How are marks awarded?
- Controlled Assessment [60% weighting] One 20-page A3 portfolio that shows you have research the product, made it, tested it and evaluated it consistently.
- Knowledge & Understanding of Materials, Manufacture, Health and Safety written examination [40% weighting] A written examination which is not tiered, so all students can access all grades from G-A*.