KS3 Product Design

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, students are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an interactive process of designing and making. They will develop knowledge in SMSC and British Values, by creating their own ideas without boundaries and respecting the viewpoints of others in spoken work and design, considering morals by learning about sustainability, environmental impact and range of engineering,
Manufacturing, and construction techniques as well as the use of CAD and CAM, using one of the two 3D printers or one of the 2 laser cutters.
When designing and making, pupils are taught to use research and exploration, such as the study of different  woods, plastics and textiles as well as different cultures, to identify and understand user needs and to identify and solve their own design problems and understand how to reformulate ideas to solve any of the problems given to them. In this way, students in KS3 learn to develop and communicate design ideas using annotated sketches, detailed plans, 3-D and mathematical modelling, oral and digital presentations and computer-based tools through CAD programs like Sketchup and Inkscape.

Year 7 – Nightlights through the use of laser cutting

Year 8 – Presentation project using 3D printing and laser cutting

KS3 Engineering

The engineering module in Year 7 and 8  covers a selection of engineering skills and tools.

The students will learn:

– The principles of health and safety in the workshop through analysis of a workspace, and common tools.

– How the collection, production and use of metals can affect the environment and how to reduce this impact.

– How metal products are made on a large scale and how they are made accurately.

– What different metals look like, what they are used for and what properties they have.

Y7 Project: Multitool  Y8 Project: Garden Trowel

KS3 Construction

Year 7 : Construction Module:

Students to work with a range of woods to make two products that can be used in the home to a set specification. Students to learn how to use a range of hand tools to make a product to a given specification. They will learn about wood work joints, basics electrical work such as wiring a plug and how to form a plumbing joint.

Year 8 : Year 8 Construction Module:

Students to work with a range of woods to make a bedside mobile phone organiser and storage solution to a set specification. They will learn about basic plumbing installations in homes. They will learn about the worldwide use of materials in construction and in homes. Students to learn about how houses are built and gain a wider understanding of the construction world.

KS4 BTEC HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE Technical Award 

This course is suitable for learners who wish to acquire knowledge, understanding and technical skills through a vocational context. This course is for those who wish to learn about the Health and Social Care sector through focusing on human growth and development, how people deal with major life events, health and social care services and some practical element of the demonstration of the care values, this course also allows the opportunity for short work experience.

Qualification structure

Component One – Human lifespan Development – Internally assessed

Component Two – Health and Social Care Services and Values – Internally assessed

Component Three –   Health and Wellbeing  – Externally assessed in February and May.

KS4 WJEC HOSPITALITY AND CATERING

This qualification enables learners to gain knowledge, understanding, and skills relating to the Hospitality and Catering  industry. The hospitality and catering sector includes all businesses that provide food, beverages and accommodation services, job roles within the industry, learning about hygiene practices, food related causes of ill health, health and safety requirements, how the industry provision operates. The course also allows the practical element of making skillful dishes.

Qualification structure

Unit One – External Assessment, this is an exam.

Unit Two – Internal Assessment, this is a piece of practical and written piece of coursework.

This course is ideal for those who have an interest in food or who would like to have the opportunity to work in this field when they leave school. Students will need to source their own ingredients for practical work. Potential job opportunities link to chefs, junior chefs, travel and tourism qualifications, apprenticeships at Level Three.

Students have an external examination in Summer of the course.

KS4 WJEC Engineering

WJEC Level 1/2 Vocational Award in Engineering offers a learning experience that focuses work on describing engineering developments, it looks at the effects of engineering achievements, as well as explaining how environmental issues affect engineering applications, processes of engineering materials and being able to solve engineering problems, with elements of practical work to support this.

Qualification Structure

Module 1 –  Design in Engineering : 25% Coursework based

Module 2 – Making of Engineered Products: 50% Practical and written coursework.

Module 3 – External Examination: A 90 minute written exam focusing on Engineering Tools, Processes, Materials and Testing. The exam includes a Maths Volume and Area question and an Orthographic / Isometric drawing question.

Students have an external examination in Summer of the course.

KS4 Eduqas Design and Technology

The WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Design and Technology offers a unique opportunity in the curriculum for learners to identify and solve real problems by designing and making products or systems. Through studying GCSE Design and Technology, learners will be prepared to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world; and be aware of, and learn from, wider influences on design and technology, including historical, social/cultural, environmental and economic factors.  

Qualification Structure

Component One – Design and Technology in the 21st Century: 50% External Exam. A mix of short answer, structured and extended writing questions assessing candidates’ knowledge and understanding of the following:

-technical principles

-designing and making principles

-analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.

Component Two –  Design and Making Task: 50% Practical and written coursework.

A sustained design and make task, based on a contextual challenge set by Eduqas, assessing candidates’ ability to do the following:

-identify, investigate and outline design possibilities

-design and make prototypes

-analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology

Students have an external examination in Summer of the course.