As a department we aim to deliver a broad range of technological skills that will enable students to realise their creative imagination in a way that maximizes their true potential and provides them with usable life skills.
| Mr P Sutcliffe | Head of Department | Product Design/Resistant Materials/Graphic products |
| Mr S Dukanovic | Classroom Teacher | Graphic Prod/Resist Materials/Product Design |
| Miss J Welch | Classroom Teacher | Graphic Prod/Prod Design/Resistant materials |
KS3 Curriculum
Our KS3 programme is delivered to all students in years 7 - 8 in a one-hour period each week. Students undertake several projects each year on a carousel basis, which helps relieve some of the demand on materials and the limited resources within the department.
Year 7 Delivery Programme
Examples of Year 7 Projects
- Egg Race problems
- Computer Aided Design (Using 2D Designer)
- Acrylic Key Fob
- Mechanisms
- Paper Holder
- Product Analysis
- Torch
- Door hangers
Year 8 Delivery Programme
Examples of year 8 Projects
- Computer Aided Design (using 2D Designer and Photoshop)
- Graphic Skills
- Egg Race Problems
- Product Analysis
- Moving Face/moving picture
- Candle holder, Air Freshener
- Pop up/moving card
KS4 Curriculum
At the end of Year 8 students have the opportunity to specialise in a particular aspect of Design & Technology. This will lead to a recognised GCSE qualification.
The department is currently responsible for the teaching of Resistant Materials GCSE, Graphic Products GCSE
Resistant Materials
Single GCSE A*-G
Suitable for these students who enjoy designing and making things in wood, metal and plastics. You like to make what you design.
Example of Work - Desk Clock
Students use a specification to design and make a desk clock in their own choice of materials.
Course Content
In Year 9 students will work on building making skills through a series of focused projects and their understanding of materials and manufacturing techniques.
In Year 10 students will work on small projects and practical investigations. The skills developed will allow students to realise their ideas in the form of 3 dimensional products. These skills based projects will provide students with the knowledge and understanding they require in order to complete the Controlled Assessment Test and exam requirements in year 11. The process of acquiring a working knowledge of materials and processes is linked to practical activities in the classroom.
In Year 11 students produce their major project, which accounts for the Controlled Assessment Test element of the course. In addition students will undertake practical and theoretical activities designed to fully prepare them for the examination element of the course.
Assessment Arrangements
In order to successfully obtain GCSE Qualification students must successfully complete:
Controlled Assessment (60%) -Design and Make Project
Written paper (40%) -Examination
Graphic Products
Single GCSE A*-G
Suitable for those students who enjoy drawing and making models of your designs. You like to model what you design.
Example of Work - Designing / Modeling a Games Console
Students use a specification to design and model a Games Console. They then produce an Advertising Poster to promote their design.
Course Content
In Year 9 students will work on building both their design and making skills through a series of focused projects working with graphics and modeling techniques.
In Year 10 students will work on small projects and practical investigations. The skills developed will allow students to realise their ideas in the form of 2 and 3 dimensional models. These skills based projects will provide students with the knowledge and understanding they require in order to complete the coursework and exam requirements in year 11. The process of acquiring a working knowledge of materials and processes is linked to practical activities in the classroom.
In Year 11 students produce their major project, which accounts for the Controlled Assessment Test element of the course. In addition students will undertake practical and theoretical activities designed to fully prepare them for the examination element of the course.
Assessment Arrangements
In order to successfully obtain GCSE Qualification students must successfully complete:
Controlled Assessment (60%) - Design and Make Project
Written paper (40%) - Examination
KS5 Curriculum
The years 12 and 13 that form Key Stage 5 follow a similar pattern each year in Design and Technology. The students undertake a variety of tasks in which they develop and improve both skills and knowledge. Students have 4 contact periods per week.
Examples of year 12 and year 13 Projects
- Lamp based upon the work of a famous Designer/ design group
- Classic Product/Product analysis
- Multi Tool
- Clock based upon the work of a famous Designer
- Car Air Freshener
- Point of Sale displays
- 3D CAD work - Prodesktop
The GCE course has a 50% coursework requirement and a 50% examination weighting for the final result.
Extra Curricular
The department offers a range of extra-curricular activities and events.
The department is open for drop in sessions every night from 2.30 - 3.30 pm, students can come along to do extra work on projects, use the ICT facilities or seek help with homework.
The department offers specialist revision sessions for students by special arrangement with subject tutors
We enter teams of students in KS3,4 and 5 into the Rotary Technology Tournament every year and are always looking for more team members.
From September 2010 the department will be starting a "Storm the Castle" Club and an Electronics Club
