Key Stage Three

During KS3 pupils are given a range of opportunities to develop their experience of designing and making through a range of projects.  The following photographs illustrate the type of work undertaken or the department, where the emphasis is on completing work to a high standard.

Year 7

Pupils are introduced to the workshops where they work in perspex, softwood, and plywood and use processes such as vacuum forming, thermo forming and drilling, as well as traditional bench processes.

Year 8

The maze game combines traditional skills in wood using joints with a free choice of layout for the top surface.  Ideas develop well away from the traditional maze and marble track.

In the bridge project pupils design, build and test to destruction a bridge made of artstraws. The results are recorded and analysed using a spreadsheet. This project has recently been devloped using support from the Construction Industry Training Board.

Year 9

In many ways Year 9 is a dual year.  It marks the end of KS3 and is also an important springboard for GCSE courses.

The Cadbury’s project is a mini version of a Graphic Products course and involves detailed design work leading to the production of a product mock-up utilising computer aided design.

The CD holder is a project similar to a Resistant Materials project and is the largest item made in the workshop by KS3 pupils.  The more open-ended nature of the work relies upon the skills encountered in Years 7 and 8, as well as introducing new techniques, eg brazing or lathe work.

The fuse tester covers circuit layout and components soldering and involves the use of a transistor as a switch to make a continuity tester.  A vacuum formed case and DTP instruction labels complete this product.

Key Stage Four

Pupils are given the option of following either Resistant Materials or Graphic Products.  In both courses pupils design a variety of products and then go on to make their designs.  Year 10 is used to build experience through project and skills based work.  During Year 11 both subjects involve a major design and make project for the coursework element, as well as a structured exam preparation module.

Post-16 Education

The department has developed a strong Sixth Form course which extends the levels achieved at GCSE.  Girls from KNGS participate in these courses and add to the variety of projects undertaken.

In Year 12 AS Design Technology is popular and, whilst demanding, is an enjoyable subject.  Students undertake design work, practical and theory of design, as well as materials knowledge.  One element of the AS course is a design project including practical work.

The A2 course taken in Year 13 follows on from the AS and includes a major design folder and practical and a product study.

Every year all coursework for GCSE, AS and A level is displayed at the Technology Department Open Evening (held in May).  The following photographs illustrate the wide range of high quality work completed by the students.