Technology

Home  /  Learning  /  School Curriculum  /  Technology
Technology in Action

Technology in Action

Staff

Mr Neil Adams    Head of Department
Mr David Hance
Mr Jim Bennet     Technician

The Technology and Design Department’s mission statement is committed to:

  • Develop activities which encourage pupils to use their imagination and be creative in their approach to tasks
  • Enabling pupils to build upon their own interests
  • Providing opportunities for pupils to experience a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment obtained by each child producing a successful and quality product
  • Using these opportunities to build knowledge of the principles and application of the laws of science

Key Stage 3

The department aim is to nurture creativity, innovation and enjoyment of the subject right from when the pupils arrive in year 8 and although the projects at Key Stage 3 are structured they have been devised in such a way where there is scope for the pupil to develop their creative flair.

As the pupil progresses through Key Stage 3 they are taught and given the opportunity to master a wide range of both designing and manufacturing skills. The department is at the cutting edge when it comes to designing and manufacturing and is fully equipped with state of the art industry standard CAD software and CNC machinery. Both teaching and technical staff in the department are highly skilled with a wealth of industrial experience.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 pupils who wish to develop and hone their skills in the technological area can opt for studying Technology and Design at GCSE where they design and manufacture a product for their coursework (60%) and are tested on their theoretical knowledge with a written exam (40%)

Those pupils who are more suited to a vocational course are offered CCEA Occupational Studies in Construction.

The Construction course content:

  • Is designed to be accessible to a wide range of learners;
  • Help to raise levels of achievement, allowing learners to apply their knowledge in practical, work-related situations and contexts;
  • Emphasise learning by doing, which helps learners to develop important transferable skills;
  • Facilitate learning with an occupational and employability focus at Key Stage 4 and beyond;
  • Allow learners to achieve an award at NQF Level 2 (the same level as a GCSE at A*–C) or Level 1 (the same level as a GCSE at D–G), or a CCEA First Skills Certificate, depending on their performance in the assessment;
  • Are flexible enough to meet specific industries’ needs while providing a coherent and balanced qualification; and
  • Enable progression to other courses and to training and employment.

Pupils study four modules over the two years at Key Stage 4.

Two modules specialise in Painting and Decorating and pupils cover a wide range of processes from basic principles to more skilled aspects such as wallpapering and paint effects.

The second set of two modules deal with Carpentry and Joinery.  During this part of the course, pupils cover the underlying skills, processes and knowledge.  They go on to produce a range of products in the workshop demonstrating their skills in a practical setting.

The Occupational Studies course is entirely practical and therefore all assessment is through coursework.  There is no written examination for this qualification.


School Awards