Technology

• To enhance students quality of learning through the effective delivery of the Resistant Materials, Textiles and extra-curricular, food-based technologies.
• To raise attainment by improving confidence, self belief and encouraging pride in students own work.
• To consistently set high standards of expectations and match these with high quality teaching, resources and learning experiences.
• To provide a range of educational experiences appropriate to the age, ability and needs of our students relating to industrial processes and practices.
• To manage resources and monitor the development of new trends to ensure maximum benefit to our learners and learning environment.
• To adopt a philosophy of continuous improvement in all aspects of the delivery of all subjects within the Curriculum Area.

• Design and technology prepares students for participation in tomorrow's rapidly developing world of technologies.
• Students are provided with the necessary individual and team skills to gain confidence in their own abilities and become creative problem solvers.
• Students will recognise needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems that successfully meet these demands.
• Students will practise skills in research, communication and management in design and production.
• Students will improve all areas of practical, spoken, and written communication skills through experiencing a wide range of learning styles from specialist teachers.
• Students will develop an understanding of aesthetics, social, moral and environmental issues.
• Students will experience working with CAD/CAM and other industrial based processes.

All students are encouraged to express personal and informed opinions through design, research, analysis and evaluation tasks. The main focus is upon the improvement of practical problem solving skills for a variety of purposes and consumer groups. Creativity is actively encouraged, as is the importance of accuracy and presentation within all forms of work. All Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 students have access to the ICT suite using programs such as SolidWorks, Corel Draw and Sketch Up and to the CAD/CAM centre.

Through design and technology, all students can become discriminating and informed users of products, and become innovators.

There are currently seven workshops equipped for multi-media design and/or construction work with resistant materials. One of the workshops has been equipped with resources to support Engineering activities; another has an annexe that holds specialist heavy equipment suited to KS4/5 projects. Three of the workshops have interactive whiteboards and associated ICT facilities, the others have projectors.

All workshops are equipped for electronics work and have the capability for light CAD/CAM work as all are equipped with or have access to vinyl cutters. Across the workshops there is the capability to apply all traditional, and many of the modern, processes. Resources are always being reviewed and updated; recently six hot wire strip heaters and two vacuum press kits have been purchased (amongst a range of items). The majority of hand tools have been replaced within the last three years.

Another room has been converted into a dedicated CAD/CAM centre, which has two Laser cutters and three CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines amongst other ICT resources. The three CNC machines have all been upgraded to the latest specification within the last few years. Recently we have added a high specification 3D printer to the room, this uses photopolymers to print 3D models of student designs.

We also have three main textile rooms, which each contain a full suite of sewing machines, computer controlled sewing machines and other supporting resources. All of the Textiles rooms have interactive whiteboards or projection facilities. Within the Curriculum Area we have a dedicated computer room which house a total of 25 multi-media PCs and other audio-visual equipment including interactive whiteboard. Other PCs are located in some of the rooms therefore allowing direct integration into the day to day processes required for the modern curriculum.

We have a separate area, which is a material storeroom and cutting/preparation area.

In all the workshops, wall space is positively used to create informative and stimulating displays that reflect modern processes, support the projects and create an expectation for achievement. Likewise, we make good use of corridor display space.

Key Stage 3:

Across years 7 & 8 students follow the national curriculum in technology with two timetabled lessons for resistant materials and one for textiles.

The National Curriculum in England also specifies the activities through which D&T should be taught:

• Product Analysis; in which pupils examine the designing and making of others.
• Focused Practical Tasks (FPTs); short tasks with a specific teaching point to develop, for example, a technique, a skill, understanding of a processes or knowledge.
• Design and Make Assignments (DMAs); longer tasks in which pupils demonstrate their capability to design and make in the specialist area.

Key Stage 4:

GCSE Resistant Materials (students who make exceptional progress will be entered at the end of year 10). GCSE Textiles (students who make exceptional progress will be entered at the end of year 10). GCSE Product Design (for students who successfully gain an A*-C grade in Textiles at the end of year 10).

Key Stage 5:

From Sept 2012 we'll be offering OCR's GCE Product Design course, as two discrete courses with a bias towards either Resistant Materials or Textiles.

Technology Club: Teachers offer their skills and supervision either during the lunch break or after school allowing students to further their skills with a range of fun activities.

Science and Engineering: Working in conjunction with the Science Curriculum Area, higher achieving students are offered the opportunity to further develop their interests. Students have the opportunity to take part in a number of external challenge based events.

Young Enterprise: Students set up and run their own companies from scratch with the help and support of staff and local business volunteers. Once initiated it is up to the students to organise a management structure, a product or service to supply and arrange meetings in order to successfully develop and manage their company.

6th Form: In preparation for life and further education, students are given a 6 week course on Cooking for University to a budget with Mrs Woods.

Technology:

• Provides technical and employability skills, knowledge and understanding which are transferable and will enable individuals to meet changing circumstances, whether these arise from a shift in their own status or in employment.
• Provides a good progression route to more advanced qualifications at 6th Form, college and through to Degree level.
• Provides opportunities for students who may wish to be employed in apprenticeships or work based learning environment.
• Helps students to think and function independently and to become financially capable.
• Provides a solid foundation of design appreciation which can be developed into industrial, fashion, interior and product design or any of the engineering fields.