Art, Design & Technology
The ADT department is split into five subjects, all intended to give students as much variety of practical and creative opportunity as possible. Students are encouraged to use inspiration to create pieces of art as well as design technology products that can be used in real life scenarios.
Our curriculum aims to engage and challenge students, giving them the confidence to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, design and technology. Through their ADT studies we hope students can utilize their critical thinking skills as well as be resourceful and inventive. Students gain a wide range of knowledge and skills in each individual subject area which they apply to their own original pieces as well as using this knowledge to evaluate their own work and the works of others. Students are also encouraged to recognize the importance of art, design and technology throughout the world and in everyday life. Most of all, students should enjoy having freedom of creativity and expression. If they choose to further their education within ADT they will be equipped with the tools necessary to succeed and achieve, if not, they will have gained valuable skills to apply to modern day life.
Art
In Art, students will build drawing, rendering and 3D art skills, reflect on their work and be able to share good practice with others. They will observe the work of well-known artists, celebrate diversity and learn from other cultures. Students will have an awareness of the impact of art on society and how this applies to their own lives. They will be expected to achieve by applying a variety of skills from the wider curriculum together with those specific to Art to produce effective and considered outcomes.
Exam board specification: OCR Art
Click here to view the Art Curriculum Overview
Food Technology
Students will be taught how to safely prepare, cook, present and experience food in all its glory and apply the principles of healthy eating. They will develop independent learning, team working, timekeeping and organisation and will gain the confidence to utilise their skills at home. Exploring a love of cooking will open the door to one of the great expressions of human creativity for our students. Learning how to cook is a crucial life skill that will enable our students to feed themselves and others affordably, sustainably and well, now and in later life.
Exam board specification: WJEC Hospitality & Catering
Click here to view the Hospitality & Catering Curriculum Overview
Graphic Communication
The aim of Graphic Communication at TMBS is two-fold; firstly, students will be equipped with the confidence to make the best possible start in a career within the creative world and, second, they will be given the opportunity to develop vital soft skills. While only a handful of our students progress to design related courses at college and university each year, all of our young learners will benefit from attributes such as resilience, teamwork, creativity and the chance to study industry level design software. Graphic Communication provides an opportunity to develop these skills in a fun, practical and creative environment which encourages each student to become a more patient and reflective student.
Exam board specification: OCR Graphic Communication
Click here to view the Graphics Curriculum Overview
Resistant Materials
This subject is built on hands-on and creative projects which will engage and stimulate students to learn the fundamentals of working with different materials such as wood, plastics and metals. Students will follow a design process which will encourage them to reflect on and refine their work throughout. Included in the course is the skill of researching different designers, design movements and existing products to further their understanding of construction and inspire them to come up with their own creations.
Exam board specification: AQA Resistant Materials
Click here to view the Resistant Materials Curriculum Overview
Textiles
In Textiles, students will journey from basic needle working to machine produced fabric construction. At the end of KS3, each student will be able to confidently operate their own sewing machine, which involves setting up, fixing any problems and using it as a tool to build complex and ambitious outcomes. The emphasis within lessons will be upon independent learning, resilience, team working and creative exploration. They will learn decoration techniques, and apply the knowledge they will gain of other artists and designers to inform their ideas. Students will be engaged, inspired, and challenged. They will be encouraged to learn from their mistakes and not be afraid to experiment.
Exam board specification: OCR Textiles
Click here to view the Textiles Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Provision
At KS3 students have four periods of Design a fortnight and over the course of the year follow a rotation of Food Technology, Resistant Materials, Graphics and Textiles. For those students wishing to continue these courses at KS4 they will then have five lessons of their chosen subject a fortnight.
Students have two lessons of Art in Years 7 and 9 and one lesson in Year 8. Students who continue with GCSE Art at KS4 will have five lessons a fortnight.
D&T Rotations
During the year students in Year 7 & 8 participate in all the areas of Design & Technology for approximately 8 weeks before rotating, Year 9 students have chosen 2 options and will have 2 rotations.
Rotation 1 = 27th Aug 2024** - 3rd Nov 2024
Rotation 2 = 4th Nov 2024 - 26th Jan 2025
Rotation 3 = 27th Jan 2025** - 6th April 2025
Rotation 4 = 7th April 2025 - 10th July 2025
** Rotations for Year 9