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City Boys' VLE

Design Technology and Engineering

Who we are...

We are three specialist Engineering teachers who are enthusiastic about our subject and determined to challenge our pupils through activities which show what they know and can do, as well as providing the framework within which they can consolidate existing skills and learn new ones.

We have an excellent Technician who has a wealth of engineering experience and is always willing to help students understand the technicalities of their ideas

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What We Do

Engineering Challenges

We develop all the skills that make engineers successful such as teambuilding, decision making, problem solving and leadership. We do this by creating a whole host of different challenges and national competitions.

Students are very successful in these competitions and have recently won a Go4SET environmental engineering competition, Young Engineers marine engineering competition and an EBP Civil Engineering competition where students designed the monument to celebrate the life and Works of Isambard Kingdom Brunel that currently stands in Pound Square.

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Key Stage 3

Year 7

In Year 7 students begin to learn about systems and control and the use of tools in the workshop. They make a push penny electronic toy which builds on the skills that they learned on induction day.

Students then move onto an Automata moving toy learning about mechanisms while delving deeper into the social studies topic of “Who am I?”. This theme is continued when students make a Podcast about their hobbies and interests developing their Technology and Functional IT skills and a CD case developing their technical drawing and graphical communication skills.

Students then further develop their workshop skills while learning about different types of manufacture by making a batch produced CD rack. While students are studying about “Roman Around” in Social Studies they create a Trebuchet as a group activity.

Students complete the Technology and Functional Literacy project which culminates in a visit to Cadburys chocolate factory and The Crazy Canteen which involves students developing their Technology and Functional Maths skills.

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Year 8

The theme for year 8 is Transport and links with both the ICT and Social studies curriculum. The students learn about the history of Flight and the physics of making an object airborne. They create a helicopter and and a potential energy Spitfire.

This also involves a visit to Tangmere aviation museum where students learn about different aircraft. Students also learn about different sources of energy and create an alternative energy military vehicle which develops students manufacture skills as well as their creativity.

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Students will have the opportunity to visit Fort Nelson to complete a product analysis on different types of vehicle.

Marine engineering involves students making hovercrafts and learning how objects can float. Students experiment by making wind powered and battery powered boats.

Finally Students develop their manufacturing skills by making batch produced Treasure Chests which enables them to develop the skills required for them to undertake a GCSE in Resistant Materials.

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Year 9

Students use the skills that they have developed over the previous two years to research, design, develop and create an artifact of their own choice. Each year six themes are set which include, Storage, Childrens Toys, Sport, Music, Sustainability and The History of Design.

Students will create a design brief using one of these themes and research an idea which could be marketed. They will then design and develop their idea using both hand and computer aided design modeling tools.

Finally students plan and realise their idea before evaluating the outcome. If students choose to undertake GCSE Resistant Materials in KS4 they will then use this product as part of their coursework.

However, if the student chooses to end their Design Technology and Engineering journey at the end of year 9 students are welcome to take their product home.

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Key Stage 4

GCSE Resistant Materials

Students have already completed the majority of their controlled assessment in Year 9 and consequently spend a small amount of time improving their work.

They then begin the process of developing their skills and understanding of Resistant Materials by undertaking a series of workshop and theory based sessions preparing them for their exam. If students are ready they will undertake their final GCSE exam in June.

If they are not ready they will continue on the course and take the exam the following year.

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BTEC First Certificate in Engineering

If students have completed their GCSE in year 10 then they will have the opportunity to study for a BTEC First Certificate in Engineering. This is the equivalent to a GCSE and enables them to develop their Engineering skills as well as their Computer Aided Design skills. This qualification ensures that students work safely and effectively in the workshop as they make a clock. They also develop their CADCAM and electronic skills by designing and making an alarmed money box.

Homework

Students homework is set for between half an hour and an hour and is available on the VLE. Homework can be either project based or applies directly to specific learning depending on the project.

How are pupils assessed?

Teacher assessment is carried out on a continuous basis throughout the year. Students will undertake a formal assessment at the end of year 9 which will contribute to their GCSE target grade.

Who do I get in touch with if I have any queries regarding Design Technology and Engineering?

Please do not hesitate to contact either the appropriate teacher or myself (Miss Cushion, Assistant Headteacher) if your son has any problems in this curriculum area or if you have any queries or worries at any time during the forthcoming year.