technology | design technology | food and textiles technology

TECHNOLOGY

Department members:
Mr Andrew Palmer (Head of Design Technology)
Mr Simon Charters
Mrs Bronwen Luck (Head of Food and Textiles)
Mr Mary Murrell

Levels taught in the department:
Key Stage 3 - Food, Textiles, Resistant Materials
GCSE - Food Technology, Resistant Materials
AS and A2 Level - Food Technology, Resistant Materials

Mission statement:
Technology is the application of knowledge, understanding and skills to solve practical problems. Technology is a subject concerned with practical action, drawing on knowledge and understanding from a wide range of subjects. It is an activity which spans the curriculum, drawing on the linking of a range of subjects. Work is undertaken in Food, Textiles and Resistant Materials to improve pupils' understanding of the significance of technlogy to the economy and to the quality of life.

Design Technology is about identifying needs, generating ideas, planning, making and testing, to find the best solutions. We want to make pupils aware of the ways in which technology is changing the home, the workplace and lifestyles. We want them to see the importance of learning that technological change cannot be reversed, and to understand its enormous power, realising it has to be controlled. We hope to enable them, as citizens, to cope with a rapidly changing society, and to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

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DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Department members:
Mr Andrew Palmer (Head of Design Technology)
Mr Simon Charters

Brief Subject Summary
Welcome to the Design Technology Department here at Stratford Grammar School for Girls. We are an enthusiastic vibrant team who believe that creativity, ingenuity and flair are essential attributes in the creation of successful designs. Design Technology mixes creativity with technical knowledge in order to solve real problems. The department has excellent facilities and teaching expertise.

Why Study Design Technology?

	It is a unique opportunity to develop creativity by utilising knowledge from all other curriculum areas and life experiences.
	It develops the ability to solve real problems and identify realistic proposals that are then tested so that further developments can be suggested. Problem solving is an essential ability in a changing world.
	The commercial world is looking for people who are technically knowledgeable; are able to work in teams; have the capacity to overcome problems. Design Technology is the best subject to develop all these attributes.

Course Content
Can creativity, problem solving, ingenuity be taught? Without doubt.
We have an exciting programme of study from Year 7 through to 13:

Key Stage 3

	Girls in Year 7 learn about vacuum forming, electronics and the design and creation of nets. This is achieved by making a net to hold chocolates as a distinctive gift. These are then manufactured using CAMM1 and the chocolates are cast! The Hand Steady Game incorporates engineering processes, vacuum forming, soldering and the manufacture of a circuit board.
	Year 8 sees the girls investigating mechanisms and becoming aware of the enormous impact that mechanical systems have on the world in which we all live. They make a moving door sign or coat hanger for younger children. Later in the year there is enormous fun learning about the forces that are exerted within structures. This knowledge is then put to the test by building 3m high towers from bamboo canes, and then loading them with buckets of water until they come crashing down with inevitable dramatic consequences. If there is time in the busy schedule they then work as teams to build a mechanical system to drop eggs on top of a willing teacher!
	In Year 9 the girls then move on to a deeper understanding of plastics, composites, woods and smart materials. They begin to gain an appreciation of commercial methods of manufacture and make for themselves a unique, decorative centre piece for a dining area. Towards the end of the year they again delve into the wonders of computer aided design and manufacture and design packaging for a muffin by using Techsoft 2D Design and the Roland CAMM1 machine.

GCSE

OCR GCSE Design Technology Resistant Materials 1956

Assessment
Written Examination = 40%
Coursework = 60% (made up of 40 hours of supervised time).
During this time the girls visit the Engineering Employers Federation in Tyseley to learn machining processes such as centre-turning, milling, oxy-acetylene cutting and arc welding.

Course Content
Year 10 and 11 are the GCSE years where there are further opportunities to experience casting and soldering, and to use the Denford Micro Router and many other manufacturing techniques as the girls design and make a range of decorative jewellery. They then go on to design a "Time Piece" as
a mock GCSE. The final part of this two-year programme of study is their GCSE Coursework. This year some have designed stunning lighting systems whilst others have majored on unique bespoke storage systems.

Homework
This is set each lesson. Much of this will be coursework during the latter part of the GCSE. Self discipline is a pre-requisite for success. If the coursework part of the subject is undertaken thoroughly this will form an excellent basis of knowledge for the examinations that are taken at the end of Year 11.

A-level Design Technology

GCSE work is an excellent foundation for the sixth form where the girls have the opportunity to deepen their appreciation of Graphic Products by researching Designers and Design Movements.
In Year 12, they create a piece of coursework that demonstrates supreme ability in the development of a product.
In the final year, Year 13, the girls continue to widen their understanding of Graphic Products and undertake the design of a building. The results this year have been stunning: a long boat for young people to use instead of a home, a complete redevelopment of a church hall and the development of a new car show room are just a few of their exciting creations.

For information about Design Technology at A-level, please click here.

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FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Department members:
Mrs Bronwen Luck (Head of Food & Textiles)
Mrs Mary Murrell (Teacher of Food & Textiles)

Levels taught in the department:
Key Stage 3 - Food, Textiles
GCSE - Food Technology
A/S and A2 Level - Food Technology

What is Food Technology?
Food Technology is the application of food science to the selection, preservation, processing, packaging, distribution, and use of safe, nutritious and wholesome food.

Key Stage 3

All students study Food Technology at Key Stage 3 as part of the Design Technology curriculum.

	Year 7 students learn about the importance of healthy eating and nutrition in achieving a well balanced diet. They also find out about the function of ingredients, food safety, and risk assessment by designing and making a range of food products.
	Year 8 complete a cake design project and find out about the use of additives in food products.
	Year 9 will further their knowledge about the properties and functions of food materials by completing a project designing and making a cook-chill pasta product. Students work in groups to create a new bread product, developing and testing prototypes.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE level)

Food Technology is an optional subject at Key Stage 4.
We follow the AQA exam course. This course covers: the functions of food, food science and nutrition, as well as learning about Smart materials, designing new food products and commercial food production.
Practical work is completed each week including individual work, group work, investigations and experiments.

During Year 11 students complete a major coursework project.
Coursework = 60%
Terminal exam = 40%

A-level Food Technology

This subject combines elements of Food Technology, Nutrition, Food Science and/or Consumer Product Management.
Students complete coursework based upon a design brief that they choose themselves. A2 students work closely with an industrial contact.
A new specification is being introduced for this course from September 2006.

For information about Food Technology at A-level, please click here.

TEXTILES TECHNOLOGY

Key Stage 3

All students study Textiles Technology at Key Stage 3 as part of the Design Technology curriculum.

In Year 7 students learn how to use the sewing machine safely they find out about the basic structure of fibres and fabric. They also complete a design project.

During Year 8 students explore methods of adding colour to fabric and design and make juggling bags. They also create their own ‘designer’ bag.

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