Design Technology
A tour of the Design Technology department would reveal the department’s emphasis on encouraging individuality and creativity. From catwalk creations in fabric, wood, paper and even metal, to acrylic jewellery and computer designed wooden clocks. It is our desire to see our pupils equipped with skills in a range of materials so that they can be let loose to produce innovative designs which reflect their personalities but also consider the needs of others. A strong emphasis on looking at contemporary design and relating to design history means that our pupils have a wide range of stimuli from which they can become more discerning about successful and less successful design. Pupils are given a range of skills to produce exciting and high quality prototypes that they can be proud to take home and use.
The departments GCSE and A level results reflect this emphasis with
89% of girls achieving A* - B at GCSE (2011)
100% achieving A* - B at A2 ( 2011)
It remains a popular option for examination candidates with many of our pupils going on to study a range of design, marketing and business courses at places such as the London College of Fashion and Manchester Metropolitan.
In Years 7, 8 and 9.
In year 7 pupils begin their design technology studies with a look at different materials, how they are used and how they need to consider the environmental aspect of their designs. They are taught drawing and presentation skills along with how to join and shape a range of materials including fabric, plastic, wood and electronic components. They produce a range of products including a ‘goody bag’ and an ‘eco bug’ to help them think about the wider implications of design.
In year 8 pupils build on their skills by learning to use the sewing machine and looking at the needs of other people in order to design products which make life easier and more pleasant. They also learn how to use specialist computer software to create products in wood or plastic.
Year 9 sees an opportunity for the girls to really show their creativity and problem-solving skills when designing multi-functional products in fabric using a range of exciting decorative techniques which gives them a chance to create stunning, very marketable products.
Fascinating FactsFascinating Facts
In 1976 Steve Jobs was working in a community type farm in Oregon which inspired him to name the company Apple Computers. Co-founder Wozniak believes Steve might have got this name idea either from the farm or because of his music tastes in Apple Records which was quite popular with the Beatles.
Velcro was invented by George de Mestral when he observed how burrs became stuck to his dog’s fur when out walking in the woods.
Did you know that there are 185,500 designers in the UK? That 62% of them are under 40? Or that 61% of UK designers are men? (Come on girls - we can do something about this!)
In the 1500's fashion designers showed off their designs by making doll size clothing versions of their own fashions.
False eyelashes were first invented for producer D.W. Griffith who wanted to enhance one of his actresses eyes in a 1916 film. The eyelashes were made out of human hair.
The design for Phillipe Starck’s famous lemon squeezer, was inspired by a plate of squid he was eating in a restaurant. He jotted down his idea on a napkin which is now on display in the Alessi Museum.