Curriculum Areas - Design Technology (DT)
Lower School (Key Stage 3):
All students follow the Key Stage 3 curriculum that allows every student to experience working in electronics, food, graphics, resistant materials and textiles on a rotational basis. Students will also experience using CAD (computer aided design) and CAD (computer aided manufacture).
We are currently re-writing the key stage 3 curriculum to include work for year seven students from September 2008 and also to take into account the new KS3 Programme of Study for D&T due to be implemented in September 2008
Upper school (Key Stage 4):
In year 11 the D&T students are studying five curriculum areas at GCSE, following the AQA syllabuses. They are Electronics, Food, Graphics, Resistant Materials and Textiles. The coursework in each subject area is worth 60% of the total mark. The other 40% being obtained through written examination papers, which will cover aspects of design, materials, production processes and tools.
To ensure all students studying a D&T subject at key stage 4 are successful and obtain the best possible grade for their ability we will closely monitor the progress made by each student against their predicted grades and inform parents if we have any concerns about a student’s progress or commitment to their coursework.
We recommend that each student obtain their own copy of a revision guide suitable for the subject area they are studying. This should be one like the Lonsdale Revision Guides, which also give advice on how to complete the coursework element of their study. We are able to supply these guides and the linked workbooks at a reduced rate for students due to bulk ordering. Please contact the D&T subject tutors for further details if you would like to order one.
D&T examination results at GCSE for 2007:
| Electronics | 84.8% | A* - C |
| Food | 88.1% | A* - C |
| Graphics | 57.9% | A* - C |
| Resistant Materials | 83.6% | A* - C |
| Textiles | 82.1% | A* - C |
| Department Average | 79.3% | A* - C |
Edexcel BTEC courses planned for 2008-10
In September 2008 the new 14-19 curriculum will be introduced onto the school timetable. This is designed to give students a much wider choice of subjects to study in key Stage 4, not necessarily GCSE’s, and will include vocational courses that could lead to higher-level courses at college for Key Stage 5.
D&T staff are currently evaluating the courses available, but we would like to include courses to cover the food, resistant materials, and textiles areas of our curriculum. These will initially be level 1 and level 2 certificate courses, but as time progresses we hope to look at Diploma level courses working with other local schools and the college
Health & Safety in the department:
Students are expected to wear appropriate safety clothing at all times when in the specialist rooms and work considering their own and the safety of others in the working environment following instructions from the teaching staff at all times.
Clubs and Extra Curricula Work:
Eco –Schools for year 9 Gifted and Talented Students:
Tuesday evenings Workshops with Mr D Shiret 3.15- 4.30
This is an exciting new project we are launching this year to make students more aware of the impact their school, and other local schools, have on the environment and how simple measures can help to make a difference.
Students will be working towards obtaining the Bronze Eco-School award, for the school, this year by carrying out evaluations of the school’s Eco status at the moment, then recommending changes and implementing them via liaison with the Governors and the Senior Management of the school.
They will go on to design and make artefacts for use around the school, which will improve both the appearance of the school and also help to make the school environment a better and safer place for wildlife in its various forms. This might include making planters and bird boxes in the workshops.
It is then hoped to link up with the feeder schools and help them to realise how they can improve their own environments and work towards obtaining Eco-School awards.
GCSE coursework sessions for year 11 students in:
Graphics
With Mr Shiret in room 39 on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3.15 – 4.30pm
Textiles
With Mrs Getvoldsen in the textiles room on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3.15 – 4.15pm
Other D&T students are welcome to come and use the computer facilities in room 39 at this time as well if they wish.
Competitions
Competitions are always an exciting way to get involved in a technological challenge, working as a team with school colleagues and pitting your wits against the skills and knowledge of students from other schools. As we become aware of forthcoming competitions we will publish them via the school internal communication system so students may become involved in the ones that interest them.
Technology Week 23-27 June 2008
We would like to work with other schools in the area to do something special during this week. We will involve our local feeder schools and perhaps Cliff Park School as well, but what would you, the students, like to do during this week to enhance your technology skills or knowledge? Any ideas please see Mr Shiret please.
The Future
D&T is an exciting subject because developments in the area are fast moving and affect all our daily lives. We have a hard working and enthusiastic staff in D&T who are thinking about and planning all sorts of exciting work and activities for the future.
We want to work more closely with other local schools, supporting them in their work and sharing our expertise to enhance the educational experiences of their students as well as ours here at Lynn Grove. We also want to include other people from the local community in our technological experiences, such as the elderly.
E-Learning
We are looking to develop some exciting e-learning material for all GCSE students and also the Gifted and Talented students this year for the VLE, so please keep checking to see the updates during the year.
Technical Support
Technical support is always at a premium in D&T departments and we would like to engage the voluntary help of parents to assist in the food and textiles areas of D&T for a couple of hours per week.
Trips:
Technological, educational visits are important to enhance the student’s skills and knowledge in the subject area and we want to run some trips this year, e.g. to the Clothes Show in Birmingham, but please come and see us if you have other ideas for trips you would be interested in.
If you have any ideas you would like to share with us about how we might take D&T forward in the future please contact Mr Shiret in order that we might discuss them.
Other Information
PowerPoint Slideshow of the D&T Departments (pps, 28.7MB)
