Design and Technology

AIMS

All Design Technology teachers within the department aim to provide a friendly, safe and well equipped environment that gives all pupils the opportunity to independently create a range of solutions to a broad range of tasks or problems, whilst considering the impact on society and the environment. 

  • To provide pupils with opportunities and encouragement to use their intellectual and practical skills to solve problems initially by research and analysis, and then by having them go on to develop a range of viable solutions which they may manufacture. Various materials and technologies are employed to further these aims. 
  • To enable pupils to test the validity of their solution/s by providing them with the skills to make and evaluate a product. 
  • To establish an understanding of working materials and systems in a safe manner.
  • To establish an understanding of basic technological concepts and their application. 
  • To develop the ability to communicate, verbally, visually, and by written means, all matters relating to the design/make process. 
  • To provide the opportunity for knowledge gained to be applied creatively. 
  • To stimulate and enlarge pupils’ attributes of initiative, ingenuity, resourcefulness, self-involvement, co-operation, patience, sensitivity and commitment. 
  • To endow pupils with an appreciation of design and a discerning attitude towards manufactured products and quality of work. 

CURRICULUM

Key Stage 3 

During the first 2 years pupils undertake a range of practical projects. These involve materials such as acrylic, mild steel, MDF, HIPS and pewter. In the first term they complete a course on graphics to help with their ability to illustrate their thoughts and ideas. They will also be taught 2D and 3D Computer Aided Design skills culminating with the use of the 3D printer. The department’s laser cutter will also be used to further enhance the high quality outcome expected in the subject.

Key Stage 4 

In Years 9-11, interest is further developed by increasing the depth of study and by broadening the tasks undertaken. From September 2017 pupils will follow the AQA Design and Technology syllabus for their GCSE studies. The key topic areas, will test the students’ abilities in understanding:

  • Independent analysis and creative thinking,
  • Knowledge of the properties of specific materials and working characteristics,
  • Mechanical principles in existing products and systems
  • Computer control and programming
  • The place of product design in today’s society

The course will have a mixture of formal theory lessons, practical exploration sessions, research and design time as well as independently lead practical project time in the workshop.

Assessment will take the form of one two hour written examination and one Non-Examined Assessment (NEA), a design and make project lasting 30-35 hours. Each of the two assessments is worth 50% of the full GCSE.

FACILITIES AND RESOURCES

There are two workshops, comprehensively equipped with both hand and machine tools. We cater for a full range of resistant materials. (Benches are of the multi-media type, each having a least two vices and a set of woodworking tools)
The machine room with two circular saws, a dimension saw, an under & over planing machine, a band saw and a morticer is used to prepare materials for pupil projects.
There is also an IT room with 16 computers. In addition there is an A3 scanner, graphics tablet, A3 printer and a 3D printer linked to the school network. The computers are used for 2D and 3D design work as well as for research tasks.

Next to the drawing office is a CAM laser cutting machine that is used to realise design ideas for certain products. It is an excellent resource and is extremely popular with pupils.

A Departmental Library is also available, with wide range of books to help pupils further their research.

TRIPS AND VISITS

The department has organised, successful trips & visits to:-

London ( V&A, DesignMuseum and other Museums to enrich the GCSE Pupils)

Barcelona (with the Art Department)BAE Systems (Samlesbury)
Leyland Trucks
Jaguar Land Rover (with Business Studies)
Paul Case Furniture
Graham & Brown

EXTRA CURRICULAR AND CLINICS

The department enters teams into a range of competitions including working closely with a 3 Year programme with CREATE EDUCATION and BAE Systems, in which last year in 2024 a year 9 team placed 3rd overall with over 100 entries. With that the annual ‘Rotary Club Technology Tournament’ . With that we have been lucky enough to take part in the V&A national competition, placing 1st in 2024 with pupils pitching their ideas at the V&A in London and lastly, our annual entry to the Roraty Competition where we are currently the holders of the trophy. We have been Senior champions on a number of occasions in recent years too.

A number of clubs take place across the week including: 3D Printing Club, Young Designers and Skills Enhancement club.

Workshops are made available, for either extended work or individual projects, at lunchtimes on request.

The workshops are also open once a week for GCSE and A-Level clinics where all pupils from year 9-13 are invited. These take place Thursday afterschool (3.50-4.50pm) and Wednesday lunchtimes (1.15-1.45pm)

Examination Board

GCSE: AQA Design and Technology

A-LEVEL: AQA Design and Technology: Product Design

For more information contact:

Miss LI Watson
Subject Leader of Design & Technology