Technology

Introduction

The Design and Technology Department is vibrant and high achieving, one in which staff are friendly and completely supportive of each other. Technology lessons are exciting and varied, offering learners a chance to become independent designers who strive for the highest standards.  We enable our students to 'enjoy and achieve' through a wide variety of practical and creative experiences.

Our team consists of 8 teachers and 2 technicians, all of whom are committed to giving our students the best experiences possible in the subject.

Facilities

6 classrooms; Food, Textiles, Graphic Products, Product Design, Construction and a Sixth Form multi-purpose teaching area.  Each room is very well-equipped with specialist equipment, including a range of CAD/CAM machines linked to computers and we also have a set of laptops dedicated to the Department.

Timetabling

KS3 & KS4:               3 x 50 minute lessons per week, one double

KS5:                        4 x 50 minute lessons per week, one double

Curriculum

KS3:

We follow the National Curriculum closely where it matches the needs of our students and KS3 results are improving year by year.  Each year group of 6 forms is divided into 2 bands which are then divided into 4 teaching groups.  The year is divided into 4 parts so that the groups follow a carousel system, studying Food, Graphics, Product Design and Textiles.

The Schemes of Work include:

License to Cook; food on the move; packaging and drawing techniques; shadow boxes; acrylic organisers; bags and cushions.

KS4:

We use AQA examinations for GCSEs in Food Technology, Graphic Products, Product Design and Textile Technology.  In Year 9 we build up basic practical skills that are developed during Year 10 in preparation for the coursework tasks in Year 11.

The coursework topics are many and varied; the staff constantly strive to perfect the opportunities offered to our learners.  Our GCSE results are improving each year, due to the commitment and dedication of all the teaching staff and technicians.

KS5:

PRODUCT DESIGN: 3-D Design and Textiles

These courses are rapidly becoming more popular with out students with class sizes expanding year on year.

Entry requirements

Students should have a passion for Design and Technology and a commitment to the subject. Students should have achieved at least a C grade at GCSE in order to be successful at AS and A2 level.

The course is designed to:

• be accessible to all students
• build upon the skills developed at KS4, developing individual designers, creative thinkers and independent workers
• develop students' awareness of historical, cultural, social and moral issues related to design
• develop advanced practical skills enabling all students to realise design ideas of complex and high quality finish
• prepare students for a future in the world of design and manufacture

FOOD TECHNOLOGY

This course is directly linked to students who have studied Food Technology GCSE and any Food studies course.

Entry requirements:

Students must have a passion for Food Technology and be committed to the subject area.  Students will need at least a grade C at GCSE in order to be successful at AS and A2 level.

The course is designed to:

·        Build upon food knowledge, skills and capabilities from KS4.

·        Develop and foster thought provoking ideas to meet current and future needs of the food industry.

·        Understand and try and solve the constant dilemma between making a profit within the food industry and nutritional requirements of individuals.

·        Enjoy creating products, testing them against the specification.

·        Prepare students for future studies within the food sector.