Technology & ICT
The subject of Design Technology provides students with the opportunity to combine knowledge and understanding with practical action. The core experience is of creativity – the engagement of students with practical tasks that lead to the making of quality products.
We believe that the teaching of traditional practical skills still has an important place whilst we wholeheartedly embrace new technology. The satisfaction and joy that students gain from making something themselves fulfils a fundamental need in their personal development linked to feelings of confidence and self-esteem. As well as the core activities of designing and making, students will gain valuable understanding in such areas as healthy lifestyles, community design, enterprise and innovation, cultural diversity, sustainability and the global dimension.
At present the department consists of five teaching staff, each with skills across the subject. We have a recently refurbished Food Technology room and CAD/CAM centre which is well-equipped with state of the art equipment and machinery. Product Design is taught in a multi-area workshop which is also well-equipped.
Staff
| Staff Members | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Lee Van-Baaren | Head of Faculty |
| Marie Sidoli | Leader of Learning and teacher of Hospitality & Catering |
| Faye Squire | Teacher of Health and Social Care and Childcare / Hospitality & Catering |
| Mark Eldridge | Leader of ICT |
| Nicole Waller | Teacher of ICT and Digital Technology |
| Ian Broad | Teacher of Construction |
| Alex Fudge | Teacher of Design & Technology |
| Phil Winterburn | Design & Technology Technician |
| Hannah Blewitt | Hospitality & Catering Technician |
Years 7 and 8
Building skills and knowledge through project work. Students in Years 7 and 8 undertake design and make tasks in a variety of material areas; Hospitality & Catering, Engineering and Product Design. All students have 2 lessons per fortnight in Years 7 and 8.
Years 9, 10 and 11 (GCSE Options)
The courses we offer are inspiring, rigorous and practical or vocational subjects. Using creativity and imagination, students solve real and relevant problems, within a range of contexts from the variety of subjects we cover; Construction, Engineering, ICT, Product Design, Hospitality & Catering and Childcare and Health and Social Care. Follow the links on the right for more information about these GCSE courses.
Students acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, English, computing and art. Students learn how to take risks, become resourceful, resilient, and enterprising with a broad view of the world. They develop a critical understanding of the impact of our decisions on daily life and the wider world.
We believe that high quality education in all courses offered under the umbrella of Design Technology makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, and well-being of our students now and in their future.