DT

Inspiring students to work together, solve problems, be creative, communicate and understand electronics, design, structures and ICT is our mission.

The Design and Technology department’s mission statement reflects, in its essence, our commitment to helping all students to reach their full Design and Technological capability in an environment in which every individual is valued and where mutual respect, tolerance and good relationships are the norm.

We have a strong belief in traditional values whilst also demonstrating our determination to apply the latest technologies and methodologies in curriculum delivery and design in order to ensure that our students are equipped to not only function but succeed in a Technological Society.

Every student studies Design and Technology at key stage 3 (KS3) and the majority of students do so at key stage 4 (KS4). The students who do not study Design and Technology at KS4 follow one of two Vocational Courses: Health and Social Care or Engineering. Members of the Design and Technology department teach both Vocational Courses.

Key Stage 3

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 follow the National Curriculum for Design and Technology. Every student will study six modules each year. The suite of modules consists of:

Food Technology
Graphics
Resistant Materials
Systems and Control
Textiles
Engineering

Students are taught in their mixed-ability form-class groups. By the end of Year 9 students are expected to reach Level 5 or above.

Gifted and Talented students in Year 8 and Year 9 are entered for GCSE Graphic Products. The course involves commitment to at least one hour of “twilight” working (i.e. beyond 3.15 pm) per week.

Key Stage 4

Students choose one of five GCSE AQA syllabuses:

Design and Technology: Food Technology
Design and Technology: Graphic Products
Design and Technology: Resistant Materials
Design and Technology: Systems and Control
Design and Technology: Textiles

The schemes of assessment consist of:

Written paper (40%) and
Coursework (60%)

The written paper is set at two tiers of assessment: Higher and Foundation. The GCSE course will be certificated on the A*-G scale.

In each of the Design and Technology subjects students will be expected to organise and plan effectively aspects of a Design and Technology activity, and to combine their designing and making skills to produce quality products.

As a Technology College, we make full use of the most advanced computer technology. CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacture) features strongly in all of the suite of Design Technology subjects.

Staff

Mr A. Bates (Subject Leader, Director of Technology)
Mrs L. A. Ashby (Assistant Subject Leader)
Mr T. Brooks (NQT)
Mrs M. Doneghan (i/c Health & Social Care)
Miss D. Gill (Advanced Skills Teacher)
Miss K. Johansen (i/c DT Community Liaison)
Mrs L. Venables (Part Time)

“Designer in Residence” Able, Gifted and Talented Day
Friday 27th June, 2008

In June, a group of talented Year 8 students took part in a gifted and talented design workshop.

‘Designers in Residence’ is an exciting new initiative that places young professional designers, who work in some of the most creative industries in the UK, into schools.

The aim of the day was to connect real designers (who led the activities) with our own talented students to increase their knowledge, confidence and enjoyment of designing products for the real world.

The students learnt how to think more creatively in a variety of different ways and how to produce professional looking folio sheets using different techniques. They then used these skills to work in teams to produce innovative design proposals that solved the needs of real people and pitched them in the ‘Designer’s Den’.

G.C.S.E Resistant Materials Coursework Projects

Context:
Toys or learning activity centres are always popular with young children. Those that are more effective usually have some type of action or moving parts built in. A manufacturer of this type of product has asked you to design and make a small range of toys, one of which has an action feature and a storage system in which to store these toys.

Materials and processes used:
Mainly pine was used with plywood for bases. Some students used hardwood as edging for aesthetic appeal as well as strength. Students used 2D design, importing images from clipart, and then engraving these using a Denford Microrouter. Some students used the ‘contour tool’ to produce hardboard ‘inlays’. Clear acrylic with designs sandblasted onto it proved very affective. Wheels and axels were bought components.

2008

2007

‘Christmas Gems’ Enterprise Team - December 2007

Year 9 students Jenny Elgar, Elisabeth Rowe and Rebecca Pringle.

Business Plan – We planned to make a range of glass ware with etched designs and logos. We felt this type of product was usually expensive to buy in the shops and had a limited choice of designs which is why we thought there would a market for it.

Gifts for Christmas!
A range of designs sandblasted onto glasses, tankards, vases and Tea light holders.
Prices ranged from £1 - £3. We sold £130 of gifts! Tankards and vases were the best sellers. All profits were donated to charities supported by the school.

Look out for future products!