Technology Department
Head of Technology: Miss J Hancocks
Second in Department, Teacher of Resistant Material & Product Design: Mrs J Winn
Teacher of Graphics/Product Design & Head of Year 9: Mr B Jones
Teacher of Food Technology/Health & Social Care: Mrs J Porter
Aims
- Design and Technology at school aims to help students cope with the rapid changes taking place in the world today and to prepare them for a role in creating the technologies of the future.
- The objective is for our students to become creative and independent problem solvers who are able to take risks and challenge current conventions. To do this, students in all material areas:
- analyse problems;
- undertake focus tasks;
- work individually and in groups;
- use ICT for image capture, modelling and coursework;
- link Design and Technology with other areas of the school curriculum.
Curriculum
Key Stage 3 (Year 9)
St. Augustine’ s students have four hours of Design and Technology over a two week period on the timetable. In this time students work through four modules based on food, graphics/systems control, resistant materials and textiles. All students in this Key Stage are taught by specialist teachers and given the best opportunity to develop their talents and achieve or exceed their individual target. As the school is part of a Middle and High school system there is close liaison with the main feeder school and the Key Stage 3 modules build on previous success.
Key Stage 4 (Year 10 and 11)
The department offers four GCSE courses and a new Specialist Diploma from September 2008. The GCSEs are popular and students achieve a high rate of pass from A* to G. These courses enable students to focus on an area of interest to them and they are encouraged to do well in each material area by a team of highly dedicated and enthusiastic teachers. At present coursework is worth 60% of the final grade and the examination 40%.
The subjects available include:
|
Food Technology |
Health and Social Care (double award) |
Resistant Materials |
Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13)
Sixth Form students have a choice of three subject areas in Year 12 and Year 13. Students who have undertaken the courses have often gone on to study the subjects at further or higher education institutions.
The subjects include:
Food Technology |
Health and Social Care (single award) |
Product Design |
Accommodation and Resources
Design and Technology is taught in specialist rooms which include a range of workspaces and resources. Graphics/Systems Control and Resistant Materials are taught in a large spacious area which allows for some flexibility for students to use metal, wood or compliant materials within their coursework. There is also good provision for access to ICT in these areas. Food is taught in a large specialist room which is well resources and gives access to domestic appliances, ICT and an industrial cooker. Textiles, for Key Stage 3, is taught in a specialist room within the Art area and offers students access to art and design materials, ICT facilities as well as conventional textile equipment. As our workshop and practical areas have many potential hazards, there are set codes of conduct for each material area. It is therefore, important that students listen carefully to instructions and obey them.
Specialist Equipment Needed by Students
Any requirement for specialist equipment needed by the students is outlined in the Prospectus.
Material Areas
Food Technology
Key Stage 3 students undertake a module based on designing a product for a client to include aspects of healthy eating, a range of practical skills and possibly,a presentation to the client.
GCSE coursework is based on a selection of design briefs which can vary from year to year. The current theme for Year 10/11 is on designing a product based on Fruit and Vegetables. This has given a range of scope for students to designing their own brief linked to a specific are of interest.
Past products:
Sixth Form
Sixth Form students have to produce a portfolio demonstrating particular skills and competences in Year 12 for A/S. In Year 13 they have to design a product which targets a particular client. It is a requirement for students to show detailed stages of developing their product.
Practical Skills
Preservation
Bakery products:
Exploring qualities |
Checking texture |
Distribution of fruit |
 |
 |
 |
Graphics
GCSE
Students design displays based on a scenario they have been set. The outcomes vary and the emphasis is on getting a clear message across. Students are encouraged to use a range of materials and draw on established skills developed in their Key stage 3 studies.
Past displays based on the theme:
The British International Motor Show
Resistant Materials
GCSE
Students have taken part in a variety of activities and visits for this subject. The range of projects included dolls houses, coat rack, CD storage, jewellery and wooden toys. Some students have visited the Jewellery Innovation Centre where their designs have been made up. The addition of a new mathematics suite on the school site provided the opportunity for students to have a guided tour and talk by Manton Builders in relation to the planning, engineering and construction work needed in creating a new building.
Coat rack
Students working in the department
GCE Product Design
This course has generated a lot of interest from students and given them the opportunity to explore a variety of different elements of design. The resulting projects have been innovative and challenged the student’s abilities to construct their product.
They have been able to incorporate the experiences gained from visits to industrial settings into the context of their design.
Extra Curricular Activities
Students taking Design and Technology are often involved in activities outside the main curriculum and these have included:
British Food Fortnight when a local chef set a Ready Steady Cook style challenge.
Rotary Young Chef Challenge 2008
Students took part in the Rotary Young Chef competition and were required to plan and prepare a main course for two. Two of St. Augustine’s students participated in the round at Trinity High School where they were sponsored by the Rotary Club of Redditch Kingfisher.
Official opening of the Canterbury Suite
Following the opening of the Canterbury Suite in April, Year 12 and 13 helped to cater for the reception which took place after the celebratory mass.
Christmas Party for the Elderly Local Residents
The annual party for the local elderly residents is one of the big events at the culmination of the autumn term. It is a popular event when students and staff join together to provide a short carol service in the theatre and an afternoon tea in the school canteen.
Activities Week
The focus for Food Fantastic was sustainability and students received a demonstration and presentation about where food comes from and simple ideas on how to reduce food air miles. It also gave students the chance to choose to cook dishes as part of the activities week for 2008.
Science and Engineering Club
This new club which will be run in conjunction with Science for Key Stage 3 students will begin in the Autumn Term.
Result Highlights 2007
GCSE
Subject |
Pass rate |
Percentage A* to C |
Technology GCSE (overall) |
98.6% |
71.75% |
Food |
98.3% |
63.8% |
Graphics |
97.4%. |
63.2% |
Resistant Materials |
100%. |
94.3% |
Health and Social Care (Double Award) |
100% |
67.4% |
GCE A/S
Subject |
Pass rate |
Food Technology |
85.7% |
Product Design |
85.7%. |
Health and Social Care (Single Award) |
81.3% |
GCE A2
Subject |
Pass rate |
Food Technology |
100% |
Product Design |
100% |
Health and Social Care (Single Award) |
100% |
Point scores: A=270, B=240, C=210, D=180, E=150
Diploma in Engineering
Build Essential Skills and Experience
The Diploma in Engineering opens up the ideas and concepts behind engineering, and how they impact the modern world.
You’ll be introduced to key engineering principles such as design, materials, electronic systems, maintenance and manufacturing.
You’ll also get lots of practical experience and study what makes innovations succeed, how new materials contribute to design and how to develop and launch new ideas.
What will I learn?
Key Themes in all Engineering Diplomas
1. The engineered world:
Looks at the importance of engineering in the modern world and the impact engineering has on the way we live our lives.2. Discovering engineering technology:
Introduces basic engineering principles such as design, materials, electronics systems, maintenance and manufacturing.3. Engineering the future:
Looks at what makes innovations succeed, how new materials contribute to design and how to develop and launch new ideas.Three Levels
- Foundation – the same as 5 GCSEs D to G grades
- Higher – the same as 7 GCSEs A* to C grades
- Advanced – the same as 3.5 A levels
Additional and Specialist Learning
At each level, you can develop your particular engineering interests further by taking specialist courses relating to your chosen subject and career ambitions.Depending on the options available at your local school or college, you could, for example, learn about robotics, medical engineering, aerospace, car and motorcycle maintenance, electronics or chemical manufacturing.
If you want to carry on studying engineering at university, it would be a good idea to take the ‘Maths for Engineers’ option designed specifically for Diploma students as part of the Advanced Diploma in Engineering.
You can also broaden your course by taking an additional subject that reflects your other interests and career ambitions – like a language, a science, or a creative subject like music.
Where next?
Career Progression with a Diploma
A Diploma in Engineering will give you the skills you need for either university or work, and is a first step towards a career in the sector. It could lead you to a university degree in aeronautical engineering, automotive engineering, building services engineering, manufacturing engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering or biomedical materials science.However, the Diploma in Engineering doesn’t mean you have to opt for a career in this sector. Because a Diploma teaches a mix of subjects, it will give you the skills that will be welcomed by colleges, universities and employers, and is an excellent starting point for other careers or study.
