Modern Design and Technology is a world away from the craft based activities of yesteryear. Embracing the 21st Century and importing the most modern of equipment revolutionises the way our students can work. Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) help visualize and create products designed for real applications and people. Awareness of the value of materials and their impact on our environment make for more sophisticated and considerate consumers.
We aim to provide a varied curriculum to suit all of our students making the best use of the wealth of knowledge and experience that our committed Department team has to offer.
Design and Technology at Winton is superbly equipped and fully staffed with specialist teachers offering a wide range of subjects at GCSE. A range of extra curricular STEM activities are offered, including Robotics and Toyota Solar Car challenge. GCSEs are currently offered in Product Design, Electronic Products, Catering, Resistant Materials and Engineering.
Year 7 projects:
The Wind chime project enables the students to experience working with a variety of materials, including metals. It is an opportunity to begin to develop their skills working with hand tools effectively and machine tools safely. It will also enable them to develop their critical thinking skills through planning and the evaluation of not only their final product, but each step taken too. This project also has a variety of cross curriculum links with subjects as diverse as maths and music.
The Personalised Stamp project is an introduction to Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM), graphics and shaping wood. Students explore the history of their names and create a personal logo, or seal, that is etched into rubber and joined to an ergonomically shaped handle to produce a unique product. Drawing skills and finishing quality are the main focus.
Catering is hugely popular with our students. In the first years knife saftey and basic kitchen skills are developed, whilst making lots of tasty dishes.
The Mondrian Clock project investigates art as inspiration for a Computer Aided Design and Manufactured clock. Acrylic based and cut by LASER, students design, model and evaluate their designs before commiting to hard materials.
Year 8 projects.
Whilst ostensibly the bridge project is about following a brief and teaching pupils about structures, the main purpose is develop pupils abilities to work as part of a team and develop their management skills. Each member of the team is assigned a role within their company and then they have to design, build and test their bridge to complete destruction!
Introducing Electronics in year 8 is an exciting project where students are shown how Circuit Boards are made, learn about basic components and add elements of personalisation to the product's casing. Soldering, woodwork and LASER cutting combine to produce a product that develops a wide range of skills.
Mechanisms and automata are the basis for the mechanical toy. Cams, pulleys, axles, wood jointing and modelling are explored.
Year 9 projects:
The Sundial project is a metalwork based design and make task. It is an opportunity for students to develop their knowledge of working safely and effectively in engineering, interpreting information, selecting materials, marking out and fabrication techniques.
Programming Peripheral Integrated Circuits (PICs) to do a range of jobs is a project with direct links to GCSE and BTEC requirements. Building on year 8 electronics, students work with a range of sensors and outputs to create product prototypes.
Catering continues to develop skills, with several boys representing the school in competitions. Complete meals, beautifully presented, with an awareness of healthy lifestyle and healthy living.
Accuracy and finishing when working with wood are developed in the happy cube puzzle project. Technical drawing, marking out accuracy and precision are developed.
Year 10 and 11
GCSE subjects involve a wide range of practical and study based activities leading into a range of vocational and professional careers.
