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Currently under construction Key Stage 3 - Design and Technology At Tapton we believe that Design and technology prepares pupils to participate in tomorrow's rapidly changing technologies. They learn to think and intervene creatively to improve quality of life. The subject calls for pupils to become autonomous and creative problem solvers, as individuals and members of a team. They must look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and effects. Through design and technology, all pupils can become discriminating and informed users of products, and effective innovators. A new building, new staff and a new startIn 2001, with the opening of the new school, the Design and Technology department gained brand new purpose built facilities located centrally within the school in one 3 storey block. Along with several staff changes this provided an opportunity for a new start. On the ground floor there are two large multimedia workshops, a graphics room and electronics / IT facility linked to the school’s new network. A well stocked resources room supplies materials to the department. On the first floor textiles and Graphics are taught alongside Art. The third floor is home to 2 new food technology rooms which provide a spacious, contemporary and bright teaching and learning area. The department places great importance on the use of IT within the teaching of D&T and recent additions include several new PCs, scanners, digital cameras and a number of A3 colour printers. We have a Denford CNC router and a milling machines. Pupils are allowed access to some software through the school library. The department has a growing reputation as an exciting and vibrant area within the School and part of our long term aim is to maintain this. Our external exam results have been consistently high and we will continue to strive to maintain this. To gain a high grade in D&T at both GCSE and A level requires a great deal of commitment from pupils, we find that many of our students are highly motivated and attend the many extra-curricular sessions which exist within the department. THE LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUMDespite the importance of “design” skills and “new technologies”, we still place a strong emphasis on learning skills which underpin effective design and make activities since we believe that this is the only foundation from which it is possible to be an effective designer. All Key Stage 3 pupils participate in a full range of Technological activities in mixed ability groups. Food, Product Design, Systems and Control and Graphics allow the pupils to acquire new skills, learn the design process and make a wide range of products in a stimulating environment. Enjoyment and the production of quality products that can be taken home and evaluated with family members are seen as important features of the subject. Pupils spend one hour each week in the Food Technology area and one hour in Product design / Systems and control. At Tapton we strive to deliver a curriculum that embraces developments in technology in the wider community. We have several links with local and national companies and children are involved in projects that foster their relationships. |
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