Design and Technology

Design and Technology is a well-established part of the school curriculum in all years of the school. The subject is taught as an integrated program of work incorporating design, the manufacture of quality artefacts and the background study of technical theory. It is the overriding aim of the department to develop in pupils the skills and modes of thought necessary to meet challenges of a technological nature, giving them the opportunity to develop lively, enquiring minds.
 
The department has four well-equipped workshops that provide a range of machines and hand tools enabling pupils to work in a variety of materials. Whilst the workshops are equipped according to the main materials used, all have a multi-media capability reflecting the nature of Product Design. There is also a Design and ICT room with 22 PCs, with internet access and Design and Technology related programs.

Key Stage Three
The main aim of the Technology Departments KS3 course is to develop pupils' understanding of health and safety, designing, designers, resistant materials, tools and machines, school and commercial manufacturing, CAD, computer control and working individually and collaboratively. At KS3 the emphasis is on developing design and practical skills and gaining growing confidence in their own creativity and ability.
Pupils will tackle a Design and Make Assignment on the set theme for each year of their KS3 course. 

Key Stage Four
As pupils progress through to KS4 they are able to tackle increasingly complex tasks which involve a variety of media and processes, from working in resistant materials through to electronics and computer- aided design and manufacture.
The EDEXCEL GCSE course in Design and Technology: Resistant Materials provides opportunities for practical design and making, using a variety of materials, components and systems. The specification is principally concerned with giving pupils a broad experience of technological design, allowing the development and application of a range of knowledge. Work will be largely project-based. Each pupil will be required to submit coursework to the exam board for assessment, and sit a written paper. The coursework component has a 60% weighting; the written paper, 40%.

Key Stage Five
Students following the EDEXCEL AS and A2 level courses in Design and Technology (Product Design) will further their appreciation of design focusing to an extent on industrial techniques and practices. They will also develop their own design and technological capabilities through the design and manufacture of a high quality product. In addition they will analyse and, where appropriate, modify, existing products and systems, and examine the implications of industrial production. The work undertaken is essentially practical in nature, although it may be computer or graphically oriented, and gives considerable opportunities for students to use their own initiative.

Other information

Involvement with industry and participation in competitions is encouraged, and many pupils win nationally recognised awards such as Arkwright Scholarships or take part in projects such as the Engineering Education Scheme.