Technology & Design
Staff
Head of Department:
Mrs E McMillen
Departmental Staff:
Mrs J Black
Technician:
Mr B Orr
Vision
Grosvenor Grammar School Technology & Design Department aim to create an environment that promotes curiosity and enthusiasm for the Technological world. Our desire is to ensure our pupils are innovative and they can effectively communicate their technological ideas using a variety of mediums. It is also our hope that the skills they develop will empower them to enter the world of work as effective practical problem solvers.
Aims
All pupils will study Technology & Design for a minimum of three years and during this time it is our aim to ensure we give our pupils a solid foundation in all areas of the curriculum. This will provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to progress to GCSE and will enable them to make an informed decision as they choose their GCSE subjects.
Technology & Design is diverse and therefore it is essential we cover a wide variety of disciplines. We understand that not all pupils will be naturally drawn to this subject but we believe that the subject has a lot of offer all students.
We aim to develop our pupils as independent learners, who have a natural curiosity in the technological world. We hope to develop their creativity as well as their problem solving skills as we feel these skills are directly transferrable to many professions.
Key Stage 3
Pupils follow the KS3 (CCEA Statutory Curriculum)
Key Stage 4
Pupils follow the GCSE Technology & Design (CCEA Specification). This is a two year course that involves two external examinations and one practical piece of Controlled Assessment.
One of the examinations covers a range of core topics that includes Materials & Manufacturing Processes, Electronics, Pneumatics, Mechanical Systems and Computer Control; whilst the other examination is a specialist paper on Product Design. Pupils will be given a choice of three titles that they can choice to develop. Each student will complete 10 A3 design pages and manufacture one final product to be assessed.
Throughout the two year course pupils will further develop their love for the subject and provide them with a strong foundation for their chosen career path. Whilst we appreciate a few of our students may choice to leave formal education to pursue vocational occupations, it is our hope that many if not all will continue with the subject into their final two years of school.
Key Stage 5
Pupils follow the A Level Technology & Design (CCEA Specification). This is also a two year course that involves three external examinations and two practical pieces of Controlled Assessment. The examinations in the first year of study covers a range of core topics that includes Designing and Materials & Manufacturing Processes, whilst the other examination in the second year of study is a specialist paper on Product Design.
This specification gives pupils the opportunity to get involved in the world of design. It will equip them with the skills required to take an initial idea through the process of design, utilising a range of scientific and engineering principles, with the ultimate goal of realising a practical outcome.
The range of career options available is very wide due to the nature of GCE Technology and Design as it involves problem-solving, application of scientific principles to the design of products, the process of design itself and the use of materials and techniques such as computer-aided design. This can provide our pupils with a useful basis for entry into careers such as product design, engineering, graphic design, teaching and architecture.