The Beaconsfield School
Graphic Products
Key Stage 3 Graphic Products
Year 7
The project set in Year 7 is a design and make project where the students are designing for themselves. The students initially crate a small product where we can assess their making skills based on the design & technology criteria.
We then move onto a project following the design process taking a set design brief through the following stages; research, creating a product specification, generating design ideas, developing them to a final design, planning how to make the product and making the product. Then we test and evaluate the product against the specification and initial brief.
We include some CAD in this project. The students produce a high quality product at the end of this process, whilst learning the theory behind graphic product materials and processes.
Year 8
In Year 8 the students follow the same design process but they design for a customer, this project again follows a set brief which includes the need for smart materials to be designed into their product. The project is studied over 9 weeks.
Year 9
Students will begin a foundation-level BTEC Tech Award course. This practical qualification is ideal for learners who enjoy creative, hands-on work and want to develop real-world design and making skills.
Course Overview
The BTEC Tech Award helps students build creative and technical skills through project-based learning. They will complete a series of design tasks and gain experience in managing and presenting their own ideas, preparing them for further education or future careers in the creative and design industries.
What Students Will Do
· Learn and apply practical design and making skills
· Complete creative projects from initial ideas to final outcomes
· Record their progress and reflect on their development
· Present work in a professional and purposeful way
Specialist Pathways
In Year 9, students will explore a range of techniques before specialising in one subject area. They will choose from:
· Textiles – designing and making using fabrics and mixed media
· Resistant Materials – working with woods, plastics, and other materials to create functional products
· Graphics – focusing on visual communication using drawing, layout, and digital design tools
Assessment
· There are no written exams
· Assessment is based on practical project work and a portfolio of evidence
· Tasks are designed to be flexible and engaging, with a focus on creativity and real-world applications
Progression Opportunities
The BTEC Tech Award offers a strong foundation for:
· Further study at Level 3 (such as A Levels or BTEC Nationals)
· College courses or apprenticeships in creative or technical fields
· Future careers in design, architecture, fashion, graphics, product development, and more
Graphics Learning Journey
