Design and Technology impacts on all aspects of the life of the students and in the department we aim to raise the students’ awareness of design and the construction of items. We give them the opportunity to develop their individual capabilities, through combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to create quality products. The department places emphasis on “quality” products as there is great benefit in students experiencing success and seeing and handling products that are well made. In addition we see the preparation of young people for citizenship in a technological society as a central activity within the subject.
Department Staff:
Mrs Mary Parry-Sargent (Head of Department)
Mr Gordon Lee (Second in Department)
Mrs Joy Taylor
Miss Louise Wright
Miss Louise Bailey and
Mr Steve Harrison.
Technicians: Mr Ken Blackhurst, Mrs Jill Midgley and Mrs Helen Strickland
Department Facilities:
The Design and Technology Department consists of a series of specialist rooms, 2 wood and metal rooms, a food room with an additional classroom area, a CAD/ CAM and computer room, a graphics room and a textiles room. All rooms are well equipped with a range of machinery, computers, overhead projectors and up to date software programs.
Structure at KS3:
Years 7 and 8
Students study all areas of Design and Technology, these being Food, Resistant Materials, Textiles, Graphics and Product Design. In addition we look at designers, sustainability, smart and new fabrics together with other relevant elements. The work is themed throughout each year, based on ‘Multi Cultural’ aspects in year 7 and ‘Garden Centres’ in year 8.
Year 9
Students select two areas which they would like to study in greater depth, to provide a wider knowledge base on which to make their GCSE option. Groups study one subject for the autumn term, moving onto their second selection after Christmas, making their final option choice after Easter. In the summer term, all pupils follow a series of generic lessons, aimed at gaining in depth knowledge related to areas of their course work and helping students to gain their optimum grade.
Structure at KS4:
All students must study one area of Design and Technology for GCSE, selected from Resistant Materials, Food, Graphics, Textiles or Product Design. The OCR examination board is used for all areas, with students following the full award course. Students have to complete a portfolio alongside a piece of practical work, these being worth 60% of their final mark. They also sit two examination papers, each worth 20% of the total mark, with a prepared question being set on the second paper. The marking structure and broad concepts are the same across the subject areas.
Notable Achievements:
The department works closely with our feeder primary schools offering primary students the opportunity to visit the Design and Technology department, working alongside our pupils. The latest venture being a ‘Lions Den’ event, where a primary school devised games and brought them for some of our year 9 students to judge and further develop the games ready for sale, when returned to the primary student. Our students have produced very high standard items for their GCSE coursework, with full marks in coursework having been gained. We are part of the Licence to Cook initiative, having a lead practitioner for the program within the Food area. The department is continually revising and developing to provide the students with an enriching experience in Design and Technoloy.