This is the course for you if...

You will learn a wide range practical based skills, theory and technical understanding, all of which will give you valuable skills and knowledge for your chosen career or further education, whether that is in engineering, design, carpentry or the creative industries or similar. You will work independently and in groups, developing communication and thinking skills, valued by the business world. You will be able to use your imagination, knowledge and creativity to design and make innovative products, solving genuine problems.

We have great facilities and learning environment which provides stimuli for girls and boys, with a hands-on approach to Design and Technology.

What does the course involve?

In Year 10 - students will produce a range of products; learn about many processes, techniques and materials including woods, metals and plastics. They will learn and improve knowledge and skills in Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Manufacture, designing, modelling, drawing, rendering, sketching, presentation, use of a range of tools, learn about designers and work on design competition. They will also familiarise themselves with laser-cutting, CAM routing and 3D printing.

In Year 11 - Unit 1 - Written Exam

A mix of short answer, structured and extended writing questions assessing knowledge and understanding of Design & Technology

Unit 2 - Design and make task – Non-exam assessment: 35hrs

A sustained design and make task, based on a contextual challenge, assessing students’ ability to:

* Identify, investigate and outline design possibilities

* Design and make prototypes

* Analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology

Students will individually design and make their own unique product.

How will my work be assessed?

Unit 1: Written Exam: 50%

Unit 2: Design & Make Task: 50%

What course can this lead to in Post-16?

This can lead to A Level Product Design and A Level Art & Design:3D which is welcomed by universities when applying for courses such as Architecture, Design, Engineering, Fashion and many more.

Is this course for me?

The new Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE is an exciting and creative course which focuses on practical cooking skills.

It would appeal to students who are genuinely interested in food and enjoy practical work. Students taking this subject need to be sufficiently well organised to bring ingredients to College on a regular basis.

What does the course involve?

The majority of key learning will be covered in Year 10; students will extend their subject knowledge and learn new practical skills. The course will cover the following sections: Food Preparation Skills including:

* Food, Nutrition and Health

* Food Safety

* Food Science

* Food Provenance

* Food Choice

Students will begin Task 1 of the non-examination assessment at the start of Year 11. They will complete this in the Autumn Half-Term. They will complete Task 2 in the Spring Term.

How will my work be assessed?

What can this lead to?

The course covers basic life skills and is intended to be useful as part of a broad and balanced curriculum for all students.

It also links to a wide range of future careers including those in the food industry, catering and health and fitness.

Is this course for me?

Are you...

* Creative by nature?

* A unique stylist who likes expressing yourself?

* Interested in creating your own decorative techniques?

* Interested in creating something you could be proud of?

* Looking to develop making skills?

* Interested in designing your own original fabrics and textile products?

Then this is the course for you!

What does the course involve?

This is a highly creative and practical course where you will develop skills in exploring, creating and making. You will produce a selection of high-quality products using textile materials and learn how to communicate your ideas to others. You will learn a wide range of skills including:

* Colouring and decorating fabrics to your own design

* Surface embellishment

* Fabric manipulation and construction

* Product designing and making

Over the two years you will produce a range of outcomes and practical work and record it in a creative portfolio of work by drawing, using photographs and experiments. You will work through a wide range of skill based tasks each ending in a product for your 2 year portfolio.

You will continue to develop and extend the skills you have developed in this course and become adept at designing and creating your own unique outcomes. Themes could include, Urban Inspiration, Nature and Unconventional Materials.

Inspirational Trips

We include inspirational trips during the course, for students to gain primary research, this year we visited: the Creative Stitches Exhibition, Eden Project, the Victoria & Albert and London Fashion & Textiles museums.

How will my work be assessed?

* Component 1 60%: Portfolio including a sustained project that shows your intentions of a design from start to finish

* Component 2: 40%: Externally set assignment: sustained project preparing for and resulting in a 10 hour practical under supervision.

What courses can this lead to at Post-16?

This qualification is recognised by colleges and universities and would be a great foundation for A-Levels, especially our very popular Art Textiles course and all of the arts. The course could lead on to a full range of careers within the textile and design industry.

Come join our team in this exciting adventure!

Is this course for me?

Are you...

* Creative by nature?

* Interested in Graphic Art?

* Interested in Photography, Photoshop and Print?

* Interested in creating something you could be proud of?

* Looking to develop making skills?

* Interested in designing your own original posters, magazine spreads, and logos?

Then this is the course for you!

What does the course involve?

This is a highly creative and practical course where you will develop skills in exploring, creating and making. You will produce a selection of high quality products using graphic techniques and learn how to communicate your ideas. You will learn a wide range of skills including:

* Hand-rendered working methods

* Digital Photography

* Print making

* Illustration

* Photoshop

Over the two years you will produce a range of outcomes and practical work and record it in a creative portfolio of work by drawing, using photographs and experiments. You will work through a wide range of skill-based tasks each ending in a product for your 2 year portfolio.

You will continue to develop and extend the skills you have developed in this course and become adept at designing and creating your own unique outcomes. Themes could include, Urban Inspiration, Beliefs and Nature.

How will my work be assessed?

* Component 1 60%: Portfolio including a sustained project that shows your intentions of a design from start to finish

* Component 2 40%: Externally set assignment: sustained project preparing for and resulting in a 10 hour practical under supervision.

What courses can this lead to at Post-16?

This qualification is recognised by colleges and universities and would be a great foundation for A-Levels. The course could lead on to a full range of careers within the graphic and design industry.

Come join our team in this exciting adventure!

Is this course for me?

Cambridge Nationals Engineering Manufacture

The course is broken down into three unit areas

Aims and learning outcomes

The Cambridge Nationals in Engineering Manufacture will encourage you to:

• Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Engineering Manufacture, including manufacturing processes, engineering materials, manufacturing requirements and developments in engineering manufacture.

• Develop learning and practical skills that can be applied to real-life contexts and work situations.

• Think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically.

• Develop independence and confidence in using skills that would be relevant to the engineering, manufacturing, process control sector and more widely.

• Plan manufacturing production through practical experience of manufacturing for one-off products and manufacturing in quantity.

• Determine the sequence of operations required, recognising hazards and risks so that control measures can be implemented for safe working.

• Interpret engineering drawings to facilitate manufacture, using a range of tools and equipment, including Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines.

Yr 10 – Students will familiarize themselves with working in an Engineering Workshop, they will learn how to safely use all the tools & equipment such as the centre lathe, milling machine and gain important bench skills needed to progress. They will also begin on their first piece of NEA coursework R015 Manufacturing a one-off product and this will be submitted in the summer term.

Yr 11- Students will begin the second piece of NEA coursework R016 Manufacturing in Quality. In order to succeed in this they will be taught how to draw using Computer Aided design programs and how to manufacture using the Computer Aided manufacturing machines such as the CNC Plasma cutter, CNC Milling Machine and Laser cutter.

The later part of the year will be spent preparing for the exam R014 Principles of Engineering manufacture. This exam will be sat in the summer of year 11.