Design & Technology

List of TLR Holders and their responsibilities:

Mr Phil Cain - Head of Technology
 

Department aim:

The Technology Department at Robert Mays believes that every student should have the opportunity to learn through the experience of hands-on making. More recently this has come to include CAD/CAM. This is a diverse department with many specialist subjects being taught.

Approaches to teaching and learning:

Our curriculum aims to teach students the skills they need to fully engage with the work they do and develop their problem solving and making skills on all levels. Students study a broad range of disciplines (e.g. CAD/CAM, WMP, Testing, Electronics, Engineering, Materials, Design, Food Technology, Pnu/Hydro, etc.) They develop their practical and problem solving skills, ensuring they learn and apply the formal elements of the subject, whilst developing their own skill range. Students are encouraged to develop their technical and creative skills. The current syllabus includes aspects of science and mathematics.

Why the department has adopted this curriculum plan: (Curriculum Intent):

During their time at Robert Mays students will have been given the opportunity to design, make and create in a variety of media and explore a wide range of processes. Students are encouraged to become independent learners, being able to understand their strengths as well as their weaknesses, allowing them to develop their abilities further.

Principles of sequencing learning in this subject: 

Our KS3 curriculum builds upon the limited practical skills and knowledge that students bring from their KS2. We develop their skills over time with an emphasis on skillful and accurate manufacture . These skills become more established and progressively complex over the KS3 course enabling students to become more independent, free thinking and prepared if they wish to continue to a GCSE level. Y9 is seen as a precursor to GCSE and BTEC and the courses are written as such.

Reading List (Key Stage 3):

There is no reading list but students are encouraged to explore the design work of well known designers and engineers

Reading List (GCSE):

• AQA GCSE (9-1) Design & Technology 8552
• New Grade 9-1 GCSE Design & Technology AQA Revision Guide (CGP GCSE D&T 9-1 Revision)
• New Grade 9-1 Design & Technology AQA Complete Revision & Practice (with Online Edition) (CGP GCSE D&T 9-1 Revision)
• AQA GCSE (9-1) Engineering, Anderson Technologystudent.com (inc app.)

Extracurricular and enrichment:

After School Catch-up sessions for all practical work. Revision Drop in Sessions (when possible), Various trips. All staff run an after school club. In 2019-20 a new RC club will replace the 4x4 club.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural opportunities:

All projects are linked to society and the recognition of real life problems. Sustainability issues are regularly visited in lessons.

Character development and British Values opportunities:

Various topics across the curriculum in key stage three and four provide opportunities for this. Lessons are often group or team activities. Students are encouraged to support each other especially during practical sessions. Asking for help is normal and expected.