Mrs C O’Boyle          -           Curriculum Leader (Catering and Hospitality)

Mrs R Chesters        -           Targeted Achievement (Textiles)

Mr S Grimshaw         -           2nd in Faculty (Engineering and Resistant Materials)

Mr P Hindle               -           Technician

Mrs C Marshall         -           Teacher (Graphics)

Achievement Leader and Year 7

Transition Co-ordinator

Mrs C Marsden         -           Non-Teaching Assistant    

Mrs L Riding             -           Instructor and Behaviour Support

Mrs S Taylor              -           Teacher (Product Design)

 

Our Learning Aims

 

The Faculty of Design and Technology consists of the following subject areas:

 

  • Catering and Hospitality
  • Textiles
  • Engineering and Resistant Materials
  • Graphics
  • Product Design

 

Our dedicated and experienced team of specialist teaching and technical support are enthusiastic to be part of the exciting and ever changing world of Technology.  Design and Technology continues to be a developing subject within the National Curriculum based on the intention that students develop knowledge and understanding of existing products, through investigation, design, construction and evaluation. 

 

We enjoy excellent facilities which include food technology rooms; fully networked CAD/CAM facility; rooms for graphic design; textiles technology; electronics and two large multi media workshops.  Our aim is that all of our students experience the best opportunities in technological education.

 

Our Curriculum

 

During Years 7 to 9 students will spend time in each specialist area acquiring the basics of the separate subject areas.  They will design and make a variety of different products that will stimulate their interest and build their confidence.  We monitor and evaluate all of our students closely to ensure that no matter the level of ability each child reaches their true potential.

 

During Years 10 and 11 our students select one area to study for a GCSE qualification.  Currently we offer the following options:

 

GCSE Engineering

This course will lead to one GCSE through the AQA examination board.  The syllabus content is through two units of study.

Unit 1

  • Externally assessed written paper on materials, technologies and design considerations.  This will form 40% of the final mark.

Unit 2

  • Internally assessed coursework featuring designing, communicating and manufacturing.  This will require students to produce a portfolio of work and manufacture a practical outcome using one technology.  This unit will provide 60% of the marks available.

 

GCSE Graphic Products

            This course will lead to one GCSE through the AQA examination

board.  The syllabus content will include skill building activities;

completion of student’s own design folders; use of a range of software

programs considering 2D and 3D products and use of colour and shape.

 

Students will learn through a variety of teaching methods which will include:

  • Demonstrations
  • Practical activities
  • Individual and group work
  • Use of a range of tools in a safe and effective manner
  • Production of high quality images and products

The course is assessed by a single tiered assessment, covering grades A* - G and is suitable for students of all abilities.  It is comprised of two units:

  • Unit 1 is a written examination worth 40%
  • Unit 2 involves production of a folder to document the making process worth 60%

 

GCSE Resistant Materials

This course will lead to one GCSE through the Edexcel examination board.  The syllabus content will include students designing creatively; making their products using:

  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Plastics

Modern ‘smart’ materials

The students will be taught to use a range of hand and machine tools, computer technology (to make a high quality product); produce high quality graphical work in order to design portfolios.

 

GCSE Catering and Hospitality

This course will lead to one GCSE through the WJEC examination board.  The syllabus content will include:

  • Key practical skills
  • Nutrition
  • Job roles and employment
  • Portion control
  • Preparation, cooking and presentation of food
  • Types of food service
  • Health, safety and hygiene
  • Menu planning
  • A wider understanding of the catering and hospitality industry

The students will learn through a variety of teaching methods which include demonstration work; team work; computer based learning; practical tasks; independent learning and planning and holding real events.  The course is assessed via two practical tasks, internally assessed 60% and 1 written examination externally assessed 40%.  Work is modular and will be completed in stages over the two year period.  There is a greater emphasis on practical work.  It is a single tiered assessment grades A* - G and is suitable for all students, whom are creative, with an interest in cooking food.  This course is suitable for students wishing to pursue employment in the catering/hospitality trade or who wish to progress to further/higher education.

 

GCSE Product Design

This course will lead to one GCSE via the examination board OCR.  The course is suitable for those students of an ability of A – D.  The course is assessed via four units:

  • Unit 1 – Design portfolio (coursework)
  • Unit 2 – Innovation challenge.  A design and modelling examination
  • Unit 3 – Pupils will make a product and produce appropriate marketing material
  • Unit 4 – Design influences (written examination)

The syllabus content in each unit is as follows:

  • Unit 1 – students will learn to develop a design solution from a customer brief, looking at a variety of important issues that effect design today.  The work will be presented in a portfolio.
  • Unit 2 – students will learn to work creatively in order to produce a design and model for a given design brief.  Students will develop drawing and modelling skills in order to communicate ideas.
  • Unit 3 – Students will make a project where they will be able to choose from a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, plastic and fabric to create a product.  Possible projects include lamps, storage, jewellery or board games.
  • Unit 4 – This is a written examination where students focus on a given designer and the issues that affect design today.

Students learn both in a classroom and workshop setting.  Developing skills that will assist them in a work related setting by learning in a practical way.  Students will use computers to design, make, illustrate and present their work.

 

We regularly hold Technology days, when a whole Year Group spends the day on activities with both their teachers and outside advisors from the world of work.  The School regularly competes in various Technology themed competitions such as those organised by BAe Systems, The Rotary Club, The Ritherdon Challenge, Blackburn College and many others.  In recent years our teams have taken first place and come a close second in these events. 

 

We have great hopes for the future too, the new School building opens in 2012 and we will have outstanding facilities and the ability to offer our students an even greater range of qualifications to aspire to.

 

If you would like any further information on what we can offer your child please do not hesitate to contact Mrs O’Boyle, Curriculum Leader (telephone 01254 264551) who would be more than happy to assist you.