Resistant Materials

The Department is well equipped with a broad selection of tools and machinery enabling students to work in a range of materials specialist subject areas. There are three main workshops covering the principal areas of wood, metal, plastics, electronics and CAD/CAM. Whilst the workshops are equipped to according to the main material used, all have a multi-media capability reflecting the nature of the modern Design and Technology curriculum. The Department is often available for students to use after school hours, to pursue examination work, or simply to further their own practical or theoretical knowledge. Work produced by students varies enormously in complexity; but whatever a student succeeds in making, they often derive a huge sense of satisfaction and pleasure from their own creativity and ingenuity.

A wide range of areas are studied within the course, including:

• Theoretical knowledge relating to plastics, wood and metal
• Prototyping
• CAD/CAM
• Sketch designing

 Final GCSE assessment consists of two components:

• Major Design Project 60%
• End of Course Examination 40%

The Major Project (60%) is a substantial folio of written and design work, accompanied by a practical outcome, to be completed during lesson and homework time throughout the first four terms. Due to the high expectations of staff and paper based theoretical nature of the course, it is very important that students consider, and possibly discuss with staff, their suitability to follow this subject area before committing themselves.