Technology

Ethos & Values

• To enhance students' quality of learning through the effective delivery of GCSE Design and Technology. Predominantly resistant materials but this now encompasses all the disciplines under the same Technology umbrella.
• To raise attainment by improving confidence, self-belief and encouraging pride in students own work.
• To consistently set high standards of expectations and match these with high quality teaching, resources and learning experiences.
• To provide a range of educational experiences appropriate to the age, ability and needs of our students relating to industrial processes and practices.
• To manage resources and monitor the development of new trends to ensure maximum benefit to our learners and learning environment.
• To adopt a philosophy of continuous improvement in all aspects of the delivery of all subjects within the Curriculum Area.

Knowledge & Skills

• Design and technology prepares students for participation in tomorrow's rapidly developing world of technologies.
• Students are provided with the necessary individual and team skills to gain confidence in their own abilities and become creative problem solvers.
• Students will recognise needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems that successfully meet these demands.
• Students will practise skills in research, communication and management in design and production.
• Students will improve all areas of practical, spoken, and written communication skills through experiencing a wide range of learning styles from specialist teachers.
• Students will develop an understanding of aesthetics, social, moral and environmental issues.
• Students will experience working with CAD/CAM and other industrial based processes.

All students are encouraged to express personal and informed opinions through design, research, analysis and evaluation tasks. The main focus is upon the improvement of practical problem solving skills for a variety of purposes and consumer groups. Creativity is actively encouraged, as is the importance of accuracy and presentation within all forms of work. Over a 3-to-5-year journey students have access to the ICT suite using programs such as SolidWorks, Corel Draw, Sketch Up and 2D design. We are actively introducing other ranges of software where available.

Through design and technology, all students can become discriminating and informed users of products, and become innovators.

Resources & Facilities

Resources are continuing to be reviewed and updated; across the workshops there is the capability to apply all traditional, and many of the modern processes. Resources are always being reviewed and updated - with purchases such as 3D printers, heat press and sublimation printing being added more recently to the Technology department. CAD/CAM facilities allows our students access to Laser cutting.

Professional drawing boards allow students the chance to learn an array of different drawing techniques i.e., isometric and orthographic to name a few. These techniques reinforce graphical communication skills enabling students to design a range of realistic, innovative products.

In all Technology facilities, wall space is positively used to create informative and stimulating displays that reflect modern processes, support the projects and create an expectation for achievement.

Courses & Qualifications

Key Stage 3

Across years 7,8 & 9 students follow the national curriculum in technology.

The National Curriculum in England also specifies the activities through which D&T should be taught:

• Product Analysis; in which pupils examine the designing and making of others.
• Focused Practical Tasks (FPTs); short tasks with a specific teaching point to develop, for example, a technique, a skill, understanding of a processes or knowledge.
• Design and Make Assignments (DMAs); longer tasks in which pupils demonstrate their capability to design and make in the specialist area.

Key Stage 4

GCSE Design and Technology use the AQA exam board. The course is split into two areas, non-exam assessment and the external theory exam. Both elements are worth 50% of the overall GCSE. The two-year period consists of skills-based tasks and a short NEA design and make activity. These are designed to enable students to be equipped with the skills that they will need to complete the non-exam assessment at GCSE level. Alongside this is a theory programme designed to enable students to successfully apply their knowledge in the final two hour exam.

Learning Outside the Classroom

Technology Enrichment Program

Teachers offer their skills and supervision either during the lunch break or after school allowing students to further their skills with a range of fun activities.

Where Does This Take Me In The Future?

Technology:

• Provides technical and employability skills, knowledge and understanding which are transferable and will enable individuals to meet changing circumstances, whether these arise from a shift in their own status or in employment.
• Provides a good progression route to more advanced qualifications at 6th Form, college and through to Degree level.
• Provides opportunities for students who may wish to be employed in apprenticeships or work based learning environment.
• Helps students to think and function independently and to become financially capable.
• Provides a solid foundation of design appreciation which can be developed into industrial, fashion, interior and product design or any of the engineering fields.