DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
AIMS
The Design and Technology Department offers, to all pupils, courses in which they study resistant materials (wood, metal, plastics, card), graphic communication, control systems (electrical, electronic, mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic) and structures. The workshop is superbly equipped with hand and power tools and CAD/CAM vinyl and card cutting facilities.
The aim of the Department is make pupils aware of the Design Process. This involves not only designing, making and evaluating their own products but also looking at and appraising products from the “real world” and forming judgement and opinions.
There is one subject-qualified member of staff who teaches the entire range from Year 3 to Year 8.
Each Year group is allocated one double lesson (i.e. 70 minutes) per week in the Design & Technology Workshop. However, there are occasions when pupils will transfer to the ICT Suite for appropriate input.
Year 7 and 8 pupils will spend half the school year in either Art or Design Technology, swapping groups normally around half term in February.
There is no prep set, nor are examinations taken. Should a pupil require guidance or assistance towards obtaining a Senior School Scholarship, appropriate help will be given, including, if necessary, homework
ICT is inherent within most of the projects – if not used as part of the physical aspect of the project then it is used in the evaluation process,
either as a written summary with illustrations or photographs or as a PowerPoint presentation explaining the manufacturing process.
SCHEME OF WORK
Typical projects for each Year Group are as follows:
- Year 3: Pop-Up card engineering, Cam-operated automata
- Year 4: Mini Torch, Acrylic Key fob, Pneumatic controlled mechanisms
- Year 5: Acrylic clock, Electrical Fuse Tester
- Year 6: Prototype Foam modelling, Wooden box, Structures (bridge testing)
- Year 7: Portable container moulded from Foamex plastic.
- Year 8: Electronic device (timer, dice, alarm) and casing prototype modelling.
Click here to see an exhibition of children's projects from the academic year 2008-9.