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Design Technology
Head of Department: Mr D Jackson
Mrs A Goodman
Mrs S Johnson
Technical Assistant: Mrs A Ward
Design Technology aims to develop those personal qualities, knowledge and skills which, in addition to being an essential part of each girl's development, will enable her to play an effective part in the technological world of industry and society in the twenty-first century. Courses of study focus on:
(i) the processes of design and manufacture; the technological areas of control systems, electronics, mechanisms, pneumatics, resistant materials and structures;
(ii) the effective communication and presentation of ideas, images, information and design solutions using a wide range of illustration techniques, materials, media and information technology;
(iii) the important role of designers, engineers and technologists in our everyday life;
(iv) computer aided design, computer aided manufacture and computer control.
Accommodation and Resources
The department has extensive purpose-built facilities and workshops which are extremely well equipped with a wide range of tools, computers and professional software, equipment, machines and technology systems. There are facilities for computer aided design, modelling and photography.
Lower School
In Years 7, 8 and 9 all girls follow a foundation course, which gives them the opportunity to develop their design and technology capability through:
(a) assignments in which they design and make a variety of products, exploring different contexts, technologies and materials;
(b) specific tasks in which they develop and learn skills and knowledge;
(c) activities in which they investigate, disassemble and evaluate familiar products and applications.
Upper School - GCSE Design and Technology: Graphic Products
This course builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills established in the Lower School and provides the foundation for further study at AS/Advanced Level in the Sixth Form. There is a common core covering all aspects of the subject in which the girls are expected to have a sound knowledge and understanding, including classifying and selecting materials, preparing, processing and finishing materials, manufacturing commercial products, designing and making.
Coursework: Design and Make Task and portfolio 60%
Terminal examination: One paper 40% 1 hour 30 minutes
Sixth Form - AS/A2 level Design and Technology: Product Design
The Design Technology course offers students the opportunity to study, propose and realise prototype solutions to designing which are linked to the real world of product/system manufacture.
Students will become aware of the responsibilities that designers and technologists have to mankind through an understanding of the potentials and hazards inherent in technological advance, change and decision-making.
The course aims to develop knowledge and understanding of technological processes and systems and the implications of design. Analysis of design situations and requirements will result in students proposing ideas through a variety of media solutions and prototypes capable of being realised within the coursework projects.
The work in each year consists of two units, one coursework and one written.
Coursework: Product development Unit 1 and Unit 4 50%
Written examination units: Unit 2 or for A2 Unit 3 50%
The AS represents the first half of an Advanced course and contributes 50% to the content of the A level.
There are many career opportunities for Design Technology students including Architecture, and the diverse areas of Design, Ergonomics and Engineering.