Friday 9th March 2012
Congratulations to Sarah Gardner who was crowned classical winner of Next Brit Thing 2012 earlier t...
Read full news story...Thursday 2nd February 2012
Charlie Vasiliou has reached the final of the Young Drummer of the Year competition, after fighting...
Read full news story...Tuesday 31st January 2012
The Department for Education published the school performance league tables this week....
Read full news story...The Design and Technology Department is exceptionally well-equipped and resourced in a purpose built facility. Extensive workshop space is supplemented by design studios, a specialist textiles room, a foundry and an electronics room.
There are often 40+ A/S and A2 candidates. This is an indication of the level of support for, and commitment to the subject, which is challenging and rewarding at all levels.
Involvement in national competitions is common. Rewards and successes bring independent recognition for those taking part. Young Engineers for Britain, Starpack Packaging Awards and The Manufacturing Challenge, are examples of competitions where pupils have met with success recently. In 2009 one pupil represented the UK at World Water Week. A retro-fit domestic flood barrier that had previously won the regional final of Young Engineers and a National Title also was selected. That pupil has now been invited to the European Parliament where they are looking to set up a ‘Young Water’ group.
A most gratifying number of pupils regularly achieve the national Gold Standard in the subject, namely Arkwright Scholarships. The department has had 40 scholars, more than any other school in the country by some distance.
Extra-curricular opportunities are wide ranging. Musical instrument making, electronics, and silversmithing are particularly popular at present. In September 2009, a team of 2nd Year pupils became involved in the Green Power Challenge. They are building an electric endurance vehicle to compete in this popular national event. Already an aluminium chassis has been built and the running gear is being installed.
Good design demands more than creative flair. It is as a consequence of there being a healthy curriculum allocation for the subject that teaching is able to recognise and nurture capability. Exposure to a wide variety of projects using materials and components in the foundation years brings understanding, reward and satisfaction to all.
For further information about the Arkwright Scholarship Scheme, please visit their website at www.arkwright.org.uk
Click here to view the scheme of work.
