Technology department offers a range of exciting courses from KS3 through GCSE to A level. All courses are now reformed so follow the new themes of Explore Create Evaluate as a means to develop real-world product ideas.
Key stage 3 students are able to work on a variety of projects experiencing work with a range of materials including wood, metal, plastics and electronics. Key to developing young designers and technologists is their ability to work in teams and the students are frequently required to cooperate in order to solve problems. Projects are aimed at linking Technology, Maths and Science together, the Bloodhound Supersonic Car challenge is a good example.
GCSE students currently study Design & Technology. An exiciting and challenging course but very rewarding.
- Mr. S McCain (Head of Department)
- Mrs. H Sawford
- Mrs. F Robinson
- Mr. G Coe (Technology Technician)
The Technology Experience
The Design and Technology department organises and coordinates a range of extra curricular activities including:
- Smallpiece Trust residential courses
- Engineering Education Scheme
- An active Engineering Society
- Lego League
- World Robotics Olympiad
Students regularly take part in competitions, sometimes they win prizes!
Each year Y8 students undertake a study day at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford as part of their studies.
Students in Y11 can apply for scholarships from the Arkwright foundation to support their sixth form studies in Design & Technology. Links with local businesses are sought and maintained for the benefit they bring to the width of experience students receive as they study Design and Technology. Students are mentored through the process by past and present scholars in the school. Links with local businesses are sought and maintained for the benefit they bring to the width of experience students recieve as they study Design & Technology.
OCR Design and Technology A-level; Product Design
We follow the now reformed OCR Design and Technology course and the Product Design specialism that combines a wide range of analytical and problem solving skills along with designing and making skills. At CRGS we approach Design & Technology as a subject requiring the full 2 years to fully develop a student’s understanding and practice of the subject enabling students a solid foundation into technical and designing futures. The course provides an excellent foundation for students who wish to study the subject and related subjects such as engineering at a higher level.
Design & Technology
Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. The new GCE course, Product Design has been developed closely with Higher Education and industry to ensure that the direction of the qualification supports progression beyond A level. There has also been a focus on ensuring the content reflects authentic practice, giving an insight into the way that creative, engineering and/or manufacturing industries function. You are required to apply mathematical and scientific knowledge, understanding and skills and reflects the importance of Design and Technology as a pivotal STEM subject.
During the two year course you will study a range of materials, you will develop a technical understanding of how products function and how they are made to appropriately support the design and manufacture of your own design solutions. You will learn about wider design principles and the effect of design on users and the world we live in.
You will identify market needs and opportunities for new products, initiate and develop design solutions, and make and test prototypes/products. You will develop your subject knowledge, including how a product can be developed through the stages of prototyping, realisation and commercial manufacture.
You will develop a critical mind through enquiry and problem solving, exploration, creation and evaluation of iterative designs. OCR encourage freedom in approaches towards designing and making so as not to limit the possibilities of project work or the materials and processes being used.
Both courses require you to apply mathematical and scientific knowledge, understanding and skills. This content reflects the importance of Design and Technology as a pivotal STEM subject.
A level: How will you be assessed?
A non-examined ‘Iterative Design Project’ is a substantial design, make and evaluate project centred on the iterative processes of explore, create and evaluate. It is worth 50% of the A Level qualification. Learners are required to identify a design opportunity or problem from a context of their own choice, and create a chronological portfolio supported by real-time evidence of a projects development. Innovative approaches will be required resulting in a final prototype that can be tested against the user and the market.
The Principles examination paper is worth 25% of the A2 qualification and assesses analysis of existing products, technical knowledge and understanding of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques and allows learners to demonstrate understanding of design thinking and wider social, moral and environmental issues that impact on the design and manufacturing industries. The paper is 1 hour 30 minutes long.
The ‘Unseen Challenge’ is worth 25% of the A Level qualification and focuses on the application of a learner’s knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products through a set design task, then reflecting on their design solution in relation to wider factors and other theoretical knowledge.