An engineering specialism within a grammar school
Design Technology
Design technology is the application of knowledge and skills in the design and making of products.
Aims of the department
The department aims to equip and challenge students to apply knowledge and understanding to the making of useful products which could have a an impact upon society.
Key Stage 3
In years 7 - 9 students experience all the areas of the subject in three specialist rooms. The subject areas covered are
Systems and control. Acquiring and using a technical understanding of mechanical, computer and electronic systems.
Product design, where students are involved in designing and making products taking into account aesthetics, materials, production and construction constraints.
Graphic Products, involving students in graphic design using mainly paper and card but also various modelling materials to convey idea conceptual ideas.
Food The production of food products understanding industrial and commercial applications and food types.
Students are taught all the subjects in each year and then mid way through year 9 opt to follow a particular subject through to GCSE level.
Key Stage 4
GCSEs are offered in ‘Systems and Control’, ‘Product Design’, ‘Graphic Products’ and ‘Food Technology’. In addition we offer an AS level in ‘Applied Engineering’ to students who fullfill the application criteria, this is instead of a ‘Design Technology’ GCSE.
In all of these GCSE subjects:
During year 10, theory is covered to prepare students for the summer exam and to prepare students for coursework during year 11. Small projects are undertaken to build upon the theory covered and gives students the opportunity to experience extended project work.
These projects allow students to dictate the outcome of the project within laid down guidelines so that they gain ownership and have to, increasingly, undertake self directed learning.
Year 11 is spent putting into practice all the skills and understanding gained in year 10. An extended project is undertaken. The nature of the project is determined via negotiation between the student and their teacher such that it allows the student maximum opportunity to do well. This project accounts for 60% of the GCSE grade and includes a made artifact (40% of GCSE) and a portfolio of design evidence (20% of GCSE).
Those students following the ‘Applied Engineering’ course spend year 10 doing discreet projects in preparation for their year 11 project. This involves students increasing their experience of engineering systems, materials, and construction techniques. They also need to learn to apply science and mathematics to engineered products to quantify the effectiveness of the product. Towards the end of year 10 students undertake a focused work experience task where they work with an engineering company and consequently produce a report entitles ‘the role of the engineer’. This report is worth one third of their AS level qualification.
Sixth Form - Lower 6th
Product design is offered in the sixth form. This course allows access from all the subject disciplines and can reflect a wide range of interests.
AS Level
During the Lower 6th, students undertake prescribed projects that are designed to develop all aspects of the student's design abilities whilst enabling them to dictate the nature of the project. There are 2 units to the AS level.
Unit 1
This written exam paper, worth 50% of AS qualification. This paper focuses on the ‘materials, components and application’. The content of this paper is covered during the course of the year including through unit 2 project work and theory throughout the year.
Unit 2
A portfolio of evidence is produced to demonstrate the students ability to research, generate, develop and make high quality product. This coursework portfolio is worth 50% of AS marks.
Projects undertaken have slightly different emphasis but currently include:
- A ‘design for the disabled’. This seeks to cause students to look bejond their own demands as consumers and focus on the needs and wants of others.
- MP3 Amplifier. This can be approached from an aesthetic or more technical standing but both produce a well made working, and attractive MP3 docking station.
- CAD CAM project (Computer aided design, computer aided manufacture) based around the design of a clock face.
- Material sculpture. Students are encouraged to experimement with new materials and generate a ‘materials sculpture’.
A2 Level - Upper 6th
Following on from AS level this course allows students the flexibility to develop their own interests further.
Unit 3
A written exam which covers the whole of the subject specification and explores the students understanding of connexions between different elements of the subject.
Unit 4
The main coursework is on a project negotiated between student and tutor which is aimed at making the most of individual student strength and interests. A design portfolio and artefact are produced to support this project.
Additional Information
The DT department is involved in many other programmes:
Greenpower
The school has a well established Greenpower electric car club. The students design and make electric powered cars to race in a four hour endurance race at national race circuits. We currently have 2 cars which both qualify for the national finals, held at the Goodwood race circuit. These cars can travel up to nearly 30 miles per hour and when racing against upto sixty other cars on a single track can produce very interesting racing.
The club and Mr Mann are working to develop a third car with the support of our car sponsors, ‘ECON’. We have high hopes for this car although in order to save weight it may be a little tight for the older pupils who might hope to drive it.
Engineering Education Scheme
Two teams of five lower 6th students have worked on real life engineering projects along with company engineering mentors. This scheme enables students to experience university life during a three day residential and real life problem solving in an industrial setting. We have recently worked with Jacobs, Giffords, May Gurney Rail, RAF Leeming and REME. All the students achieve a gold CREST (CReativity in Engineering Science and Technology) award for the work undertaken. This year the teams both worked on bridge designs. One team has been working on a pioneering bridge design using fibreglass sections to make a pre-fabricated bridge to speed up building time and have less impact on the rail network concerned.
Competition Success
The department was represented by five students at the annual ‘engineering inspirations’ event displaying their project work from GCSE and year 9. First place awards were achieved by three of these students. First place for electronics projects in year 11, first place for a key stage 3 graphics project and first place for a KS3 systems and control project.
Arkwright scholarship
The department currently has two Arkwright scholars within the school. The Arkwright scholarship is a national scholarship for able year 11 students to continue their study into A level. Students have to pass an entrance exam and then undergo a whole day interview before they are selected to be offered a scholarship. As well as the current two students we also had a further two pass the entrance exam and undertake to interview.
