Mr J Beal - Head of Department - jpb@bws.wilts.sch.uk
Mr M Taylor - DT Teacher - met@bws.wilts.sch.uk
Mr G Lloyd - DT Teacher - gl@bws.wilts.sch.uk
Mrs S Redmill - DT Teacher - smr@bws.wilts.sch.uk
Design & Technology is a popular and successful part of the school curriculum and provides many opportunities for the students.
At KS3 the Department aims to provide students with the opportunity to combine creative thinking and independent learning with the development of practical and technological skills to design and make products.
Students are encouraged to become independent learners and more globally responsible through looking at materials and their recycling, developments in technology and sustainable energy. This understanding is developed further as students move on to GCSE and A-level courses.
The department has two specialist DT rooms and a dedicated IT suite with access to the latest DT/CAD/CAM software to support the students' learning.
A programme has been designed so that all pupils follow a common foundation course. Design and Technology is compulsory in the lower school and pupils can opt later on to follow the subject at GCSE and A-Level. The emphasis is to provide all pupils with a course which offers a rich experience and develops capability in all areas of study. The main elements of the course are related to Designing and Manufacturing Products.
Students are timetabled a double period of Design and Technology in years 7, 8 and 9 during which they will gain experience in designing and making in a range of different materials and learn a wide range of making skills.
All KS3 students are introduced to three key elements of DT
Designing: This will include research and analysis, ideas, sketching, model making, teamwork and the use of ICT).
Making: This will include the use of tools, machinery; processes; material construction techniques, drawing and planning.
Theoretical Knowledge: This will include electronics; material technologies and industrial practices.
Pupils are expected to provide the following equipment in preparation for their study. They need to ensure they are brought to each lesson. All of the equipment can be purchased locally and some in the school shop. Under Health & Safety Guideline all pupils are expected to wear an apron (available from the school shop)
DT Homework is set in line with the Lower School homework policy
As with everyone starting out in a potentially dangerous environment the year 7s begin with an introduction to health and safety of the workshop, then progress on to basic understanding of the using a variety of workshop tools safely and effectively. In amongst this they will also learn about how the full design process work through designing and making 3 projects across the year:
Cam Toy – The Cam Toy focuses on introducing students to woodworking equipment. Using a combination of jigs and problem solving they create a car shape with a simple cam mechanism. Their independent problem solving then thrives with the challenge of decorating using a combination of card and colour paper.
Fuse Tester – The tester is made up of two main different elements, the housing and the circuit. For many students this is their first experience of soldering. They combine their own measuring, marking out and shaping skills with the batch production methods of using simple jigs to create the housing. Surrounding the fuse tester the students design their own informative eye-catching graphics.
Photo frame – The project introduces the use of traditional workshop equipment, combined with CAD (TechSoft 2D) and CAM processes (laser cutter engraver) to produce a personalised photo frame.
The year 8 projects are designed to also push boys problem solving skills and expand their knowledge of industrial practices using a variety of production methods. This has been done through 3 projects:
Maze game – With the emphasis on learning about types of batch and mass production students use CAD (computer Aided Design) software students are able to design intricate mazes that a CNC machine will route out for them. They then learn how to tap and screw covers on for a professional finish. Alongside this they design and make the packaging which includes a batch produced vacuum formed protective cover.
Steady Hand game –
Structures – Working in groups students are given a limited amount of construction materials to build a bridge across a 300mm raging river. The aim is for the bridge to hold as much weight as possible before total destruction, in this fashion testing their problem solving skills.
In year 9 the students are expected to draw from the previous two years of knowledge and experience to fully research, design and make three projects.
Clock Project - The first project has a plastics emphasis. Using mainly acrylic and adding on details with vinyl plastic, giving them the opportunity to independently use a CNC machine to cut the vinyl into intricate shapes to a professional standard.
Materials Bug Project – The bug is made of a variety of materials including a block of pine, sheet acrylic and aluminium. This project introduces students to shaping metal using a hammer and forming. The combination of materials exposes students to the problems that may occur when combining various materials with very different properties so we will be focussing on using screws and wedge joints.
I Can Project – The project uses the upcycling of cylinder used in a well know brand of crisps, to form the container for an amplifier speaker combination. The students construct the amplifier using a printed circuit board. Using laser cut parts to form the chassis to hold both speaker and amplifier. This project not only gives the students the chance to manufacture a complex circuit but also uses their imagination when branding their products in an eye catching and unique way.
The Design and Technology department currently offers the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology (1DT0/1F) course.
The course is for those students considering a career in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering or Design/Product Design but who might also be interested in careers in architecture and the creative industry. Pupils focus on many aspects of design and manufacture and the use of new technologies in modern engineering and learn how to create and develop innovative products.
GCSE Certification will be gained by the following of two units over two years of study in Years 10 and 11.
1DT0/1F Component 1 is a written paper taken at the end of Year 11 and is worth 50% of the GCSE. The paper lasts 1 3/4 hours, with candidates answering questions in two sections, core and specialism (Timbers).
1DT0/1F Component 2 is a Design and Making exercise which is started at the beginning of June in year 10 and completed in year 11, and is worth 50% of the GCSE. These consist of a single design and make activity, selected from a range of exam board set tasks.
Full details of the GCSE DT course can be found here