"There are three responses to a piece of design,  yes, no and wow. Wow is the one to aim for."

Subject Lead: Mr N Ramos (Ag)

Within Design and Technology, we run a carrousel system, with students rotating termly between Resistant Materials, Textiles and Food Preparation. In key stage three and irrespective of the subject specialism, the emphasis is very much on activating student’s creativity by making the subject matter fun.

In Resistant Materials during year seven and after an initial health and safety induction, students spend the first half of the term designing and making a Steady Hand Game. Aside from learning about design and composition, students enjoy their first experience with a variety of woodworking hand and machine tools.

During the second half of the term, students design and make a clock, where again they have the opportunity to use a range of equipment for the first time, increasing skill and confidence.

Year eight students design and manufacture a Mechanical Toy. Aside from continuing to skill up on the use of general woodworking tools, they will learn about structures, mechanisms and forces.

Schemes of Learning in all areas of the subject are in constant review and the idea of introducing a Passive Amplifier as a second project is being worked on and will be in place in the upcoming academic year.

In year nine, the emphasis is placed more on accuracy and traditional woodworking techniques. Students first manufacture a Plywood Partition Box using Lap Joints with the focus being accurate marking out and Chisel work. During the latter part of the term, students construct a Pine Shelf Unit, this time using Housing Joint, with the focus once again placed on accuracy and workmanship.

Key Stage 4

The GCSE course encompasses two main areas that students must complete. On the one hand, candidates will sit an exam which accounts for 50% of the overall grade and which includes a wide range of topics from three main areas, these being Core technical principles, Specialist technical principles and Design and making principles. The remaining 50% of the marks come from the Non-examined assessment (nea), which includes a design folder together with a final manufactured product. By way of guidance, the AQA board allocates a number of possible nea topics each year which all candidates must adhere to.

As an alternative route to GCSE, we have, for the first time this year introduced a City & Guilds Certificate in Construction (Carpentry). Here students looking to seek employment in the field, or gain further qualifications in the future, focus solely on learning specialist carpentry skills.

Key Stage 4

In keeping to the GCSE structure that students are familiar with, the A-level course also comprises an end of course exam which accounts for 50% of the final grade, together with a coursework which makes up the remaining 50% of the grade. However unlike the GCSE, students are given free rein and are expected to identify their own topics and clients for their nea.