Welcome to Design Technology at West Hill School. Our department currently consists of five dedicated, enthusiastic and conscientious full-time teaching staff supported by one technician.
Mr. Diamond – Electronics, BTEC Engineering and Head of Department
Mrs. Healey – Food Technology and BTEC Hospitality and 2nd in Department
Mr. O’Reilly – Materials & Engineering
Mr. Bamber – Graphics and BTEC Engineering – CAD
Miss. Taylor – Resistant Materials to GCSE
Ms. Whalley - Technician
A wide range of ICT is included in our teaching with some of the latest CAD/CAM technologies available. The graphics classroom is permanently set up with an individual computer for each pupil, the department also has two full class sets of laptops and we have shared access to four fully equipped ICT suites.
Key Stage 3
Throughout KS3, pupils cover all areas of Design Technology;
- Materials & Engineering
- Resistant Materials
- Electronics
- Graphics (CAD)
- Food Technology
Materials & Engineering
In Materials & Engineering, the pupils will have an introduction to C.A.D. (computer aided design) in industry. They will learn how to use the C.N.C. (computer numerical control) milling machine to produce components, using a Boxford software package. They will also learn basic craft techniques and skills such as drilling and tapping holes by hand, joining plastics, joining, filing and drilling metals etc. We find that the pupils are really enthusiastic and absolutely love taking part in the practical elements of this subject.
Some of the popular projects are;
- Design and make a coat hook with back plate using cast aluminium
- Design and a make key fob and a coaster using CAD / CAM
Resistant Materials
Resistant Materials is a subject where metals, wood, plastics and their application in the design process, making of artefacts and products are studied. A number of practical tasks are undertaken, backed up by knowledge of materials, fastening methods, mechanisms and manufacturing processes. Skills in designing, drawing, use of hand and machine tools are also developed and the pupils demonstrate this in their coursework.
Electronics
In Electronics pupils study all the theoretical and practical elements of circuit board construction. They design circuit boards using C.A.D. (computer aided design), then assemble them using discrete components and C.A.M. (computer aided manufacture) for the P.C.B. (printed circuit board) manufacture.
Our most popular projects at the moment are;
- Moisture Sensor
- Mini Music Keyboard
The pupils learn how to design and make the board, drill, solder and assemble the components themselves whilst also learning about the functions and meanings of the components.
Graphics
In Graphics, all pupils learn new Computer Aided Design skills and techniques including 2D design and 3D design via our pro-desktop software.
Recent projects include;
- Designing an alloy wheel
- Designing a digital camera
- Designing a mobile phone
- Illustrating a map of Britain using weather symbols and isobars etc
- Design and make a clock
Food Technology
In Food Technology, as well as learning skills in food preparation and cooking, pupils will develop an awareness of the role and value of food in society, a working knowledge of health, safety and hygiene and an understanding of food science and nutrition. The pupils absolutely love the practical elements of this subject and they often get to taste test & evaluate their work at the end of the lessons.
Key Stage 4
The Design Technology Department currently offers the following courses to pupils:
- BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Hospitality
- GCSE Resistant Materials
- BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Engineering (Mechanical)
- BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Engineering (CAD)
- BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Engineering (Electronics)
- BTEC Level2 Diploma in Engineering
BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Hospitality
You will learn about all aspects of the Hospitality and Catering industry, its products, services and support.
You will have the opportunity to prepare, cook, and finish food in practical lessons throughout the course but you must be prepared to bring in your own ingredients from home on the allocated practical days. The course will be interspersed with visits and trips out to local hospitality businesses to investigate the industry and learn about support services. You must be aware that, unlike food Tech at KS3, this course does have a heavy weighting of written work.You will be assessed continuously through assignments and at regular periods during the course and it is essential that all deadline dates for each assignment are met.
GCSE Resistant Materials
The Resistant Materials course involves designing and making, using a wide range of materials that include wood, metal and plastic.
During the two year course pupils will carry out a number of mini-projects in order to develop their understanding of research, designing, materials, tools/equipment, processes, computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD/CAM) as well as Health and Safety issues in readiness for their final GCSE assessments.
Assessment for the course is in two parts – the first is the completion of a Controlled Assessment. This involves choosing a design brief, researching the project and developing ideas into a final solution before planning and manufacturing your product. Your three dimensional product will be supported by a design folder showing how you got from design brief to final solution. All the Controlled Assessment work will take place within school, with the exception of some research.
The second part of the assessment of the course is a written exam taken in the summer of Year 11. This looks at your knowledge in both the theoretic aspect of the course and your design skills, which are built on over the two years.
The course is aimed at pupils who have an interest in working with materials and learning more about them, through both practical tasks and theory. Pupils considering Resistant Materials as a GCSE option will need to be motivated, hard working and committed.
BTEC Extended Certificate in Engineering (Mechanical)
This course covers the practical skills and knowledge required for Mechanical Engineering. The course will be a mixture of written work and practical work.
There will be continuous assessment through assignments and at regular periods during the course. This is a vocational course and units studied will have a work related context.
This course could lead to progression to level 3 BTEC National Engineering Apprenticeship.
BTEC Extended Certificate in Engineering (CAD)
You will use CAD (Computer Aided Design) to produce both 2D & 3D drawings.
There will be continuous assessment through assignments and at regular periods throughout the course.
BTEC LEVEL 2 EXTENDED CERTIFICATE IN ENGINEERING is aimed at A* - C pupils who have an interest in Engineering. It can lead to apprenticeship at both craft and technician level, ordinary and high national level BTECs at further education colleges.
BTEC Extended Certificate in Engineering (Electronics)
You will study in depth, electronic circuit construction and testing – CAD circuit simulation, PCB design, maths for engineering technicians and science for engineers.
There will be continuous assessment through assignments and at regular periods throughout the course.
BTECs are nationally recognised qualifications with progression to BTEC Nationals in Engineering.
Additional Information
Useful websites:
www.edexcel.com
www.aqa.org.uk