Letters Home

Waddesdon Voice

Diary Dates

School Galleries

Sports Lettings

Staff Vacancies

Terms of Use

Words Of Wisdom:

"Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe."

St Augustine

Welcome to the Technology Department at Waddesdon Church of England School

Subject Overview
Teaching Aims and Objectives
Course Information
Marking and Assessment
Homework Policy
Examinations
Department Resources
Department Policies

Subject Overview

The Technology Department offers a wide range of subject disciplines to students, taught by specialist staff.

All students study Technology in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. In Years 7 and 8, pupils are taught: Food Technology, Electronics, Textiles, Resistant Materials and Graphics Technology.

At the end of Year 8, pupils choose option subjects for GCSE. In Technology, they choose from: Food Technology, Textiles, Product Design (this option includes studies in Resistant Materials and Electronics), Graphics and Engineering. Engineering is a double award GCSE.

Subjects offered at AS/A Level are: Resistant Materials, Food Technology, Textiles and Engineering.

Back to Top

Teaching Aims and Objectives

Design Technology prepares pupils to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly- changing technologies. They learn to think and intervene creatively to improve the quality of life. The subject requires pupils to think critically and to become creative problem-solvers, as individuals and as members of a team. Students must identify opportunities and must respond to them by developing a range of ideas and by making products and systems. They acquire practical skills and must also learn to understand aesthetics, social and environmental issues, industrial practices and the functional requirements of products. Students naturally reflect on design technology, past and present, and evaluate its uses and effects. Through their work in Design Technology, all pupils can become innovators, well able to judge the effective use and design of a wide range of products.

Teaching in the Technology Department seeks to:

• Create practical learning experiences that promote success and raise attainment
• Establish an interactive dialogue with pupils at a challenging pace
• Introduce real scenarios and design issues that are meaningful to pupils
• Motivate pupils through design tasks in which pupils take ownership of their work and own learning
• Value and celebrate pupils’ creative and innovative contributions, encouraging openness to ideas and critical reflection
• Allow pupils to work collaboratively in groups, sharing ideas
• Explore with pupils the diversity of the application of design and technology in different cultures and of the past.

Back to Top

Course Information

In Years 7 and 8, students study within a carousel system. Students experience four different areas of Technology within each year. Course subjects include: Product Design, which is embedded within Food Technology, Textiles Technology, Electronics and Resistant Materials. With each rotation, all students have the opportunity to produce quality practical outcomes, with the relevant theory work to support the manufacturing process.

Back to Top

Marking and Assessment

In Key Stage 3, marking and assessment follows QCA National Guidelines for Technology. Students are awarded a SAT level at the end of each rotation. This level is then aggregated at the end of Key Stage 3.

Back to Top

Homework Policy

Homework is set weekly in Years 7 and 8. In Key Stages 4 and 5, homework is a part of the coursework deadline dates.

Back to Top

Examinations

GCSE	Food Technology	AQA
GCSE	Product Design	CEA
GCSE (Double)	Engineering	EDEXCEL
GCE	Engineering	EDEXCEL
GCE	Textiles	EDEXCEL/AQA
GCE	Food Technology	EDEXCEL

Back to Top

Department Resources

The Department is equipped with a wide range of CAD/CAM equipment which is available for use within all key stages. Each specialist area is equipped to enable students to design and produce high-quality products.

Back to Top

Department Policies

Assessment for Learning

Learning objectives are shared with pupils. Exemplar materials are used to help pupils know and recognise standards they are aiming for. Pupils are involved in self-assessment. Regular feedback is provided to help pupils their next steps and how to take them. Within Design Technology, Assessment for Learning is underpinned by the notion that every student can improve by evaluation, discussion and consultation.

Homework and Behaviour

Within the Technology Department, workshop sessions are offered twice a week - all students are welcome to attend. These sessions are supervised by staff and offer the opportunity for students to use the facilities for project work; some students prefer to develop their own interests. These sessions can also be used by students who are falling behind with coursework.

High standards of student behaviour are expected at all times.

Marking and Assessment Policies

These follow whole-school guidelines. Key Stage 3 pupils are tracked electronically throughout the carousel system.

Back to Top