Design and Technology - King Henry

Design and Technology

INTRODUCTION

The Design and Technology Department’s goal is to inspire, encourage and develop creativity through a variety of disciplines. Students experience a carousel of the different subject areas, undertaking ‘design and make’ challenges within each one. We aim to expose every student to all aspects of Design and Technology within the rotation of the subjects to produce skilled, knowledgeable designers at the culmination of their experience.

FACILITIES/RESOURCES

The Design and Technology department consists of three main teaching rooms, each one being well equipped with a wide range of tools and equipment. We encourage students to make use of whichever tool or process is most appropriate to the needs of their work whether through traditional methods or more modern technology.

WHAT WE DO

The Design and Technology Department offers pupils the opportunity to create new products and to follow the design process from start to finish. We offer courses in Food Technology and Design and Technology (Electronics and Resistant Materials) which can be studied from Year 7 onwards, including at GCSE and A Level standard. This is a vibrant, hands-on department which is always buzzing with activity. We encourage trial and error at all times. The activity does not stop when lessons end. The workshops are open at lunchtimes when we run clubs for pupils of all ages. We have been delighted with the success of our Robotics team in their first year of competition, reaching the VEX National Finals and receiving numerous awards along the way, including ‘Teacher of the Year’ for Mr Sweetman.

STAFF

Head of Design and Technology:Mr A Rendle
Head of Food and Nutrition:Mrs A Heathcote
Teaching staff: Mr R Phillips
Technicians: Mr W Timson, Mrs Lee

TRIPS

The Design and Technology Department runs a variety of clubs and trips throughout the year. In Key Stage 3 we run three Design Challenge clubs addressing an array of design briefs from local company links to national competitions. We also take students to the Good Food Show at the NEC as well as hosting ‘Bake Off’ competitions. Our Robotics teams compete at a variety of National events such as the “Big Bang” and “Imagineering” events and currently hold the National Programming Championship award. We also run a joint trip to London with the Art department to visit a range of galleries for inspiration. The Food Technology department take their Key Stage 4 and 5 students to Jamie’s Italian restaurant in Birmingham to see behind the scenes in a busy commercial kitchen.