Slough and Eton Church of England Business and Enterprise College

Design and Technology
Design and Technology, in the early years, is an exciting interactive subject that integrates pupils of all levels and abilities through a varied range of projects and activities. Both boys and girls will work, at times, as part of a group whilst also developing individual skills in all areas of the subject in their own project. In years 7, 8 and 9, all pupils are taught one double period of Design and Technology each week. Each pupil will cover the area of Resistant Materials, Graphic Products, Textiles, and Food Technology. Over the course of the three years all pupils undergo a range of half-termly projects which cover a range of designing and technological skills which fully prepare the students for GCSE Resistant Materials, Graphic Products or Food Technology in years 10 and 11.
Projects include traditional metalworking and woodworking based experiences whilst also focusing on the new computer based facilities at times to give a fine balance between the old and the new. Practical skills are complemented by theory knowledge of the four Technology areas which should give a sound all- round approach to problem solving in the future years.
The following projects are included in the programme that we are following this year:

Year 7:
Resistant Materials: Crafted Toy
Graphic Products: Pop up Card
Textiles: Appliqué Cushion
Food Technology: Kitchen Skills

Year 8:
Resistant Materials: Desk Tidy
Graphic Products: Fairtrade Packaging
Textiles: Batik Bag
Food Technology: Nutrition and Techniques

Year 9:
Resistant Materials: Designer Clock
Graphic Products: Retail Point of Sale
Textiles: Artist Printed T-Shirt
Food Technology: V is for Vegetable

Years 10 & 11:

GCSE Resistant Materials
Resistant Materials is fundamentally a ‘design and make’ course using resistant materials (woods, metals, plastics and composites). Pupils undergo a coursework project that is completely their choice. This could be as varied as designing and making a prototype model of a mobile phone, MP3 player or toaster or designing and making a coffee table, skateboard ramp or picnic table. As long as the project is achievable in the school workshops, can be completed in the time available and within the pupils budget then it can go ahead. This allows for pupils to pursue their own individual passions and interests.

After KS4/Future Careers:
This is an Ideal preparation for AS Technology courses or post-16 design courses. It is good preparation for careers in manufacturing, building, Architecture, Product design and development as well as craft based career opportunities.

GCSE Graphic Products:
What is Graphic Design? The simple answer is, learning how to present anything and everything well. We teach the pupils who opt for this course how to present their ideas, their work and themselves in the best possible light. In the current employment climate there isn't a job or any opportunity that doesn't demand such a quality. It is a creative course that combines Art with Design and Technology. Pupils have sketch books and folders, but the course work has the structured, step-by-step approach of Design and Technology.

After KS4/Future Careers:
This is an ideal preparation for AS Product design, or post-16 design courses. It is also good preparation for careers in Graphic Design, Advertising, Interior design and the visual media. Skills learned also support Business and Media Studies, Art and Design and Engineering Studies.

GCSE Food Technology
This course is intended for pupils who wish to develop their design technology capability, specialising in the use of food materials. Pupils will extend their knowledge and understanding of food components and apply this knowledge in a practical context, in the designing and making of food products. Practical work will also include investigation of the functional properties of food products and sensory and nutritional evaluation. Pupils will need to provide ingredients for practical lessons at Key stage four when designing their own dishes and we ask for a voluntary contribution at Key stage three.

The course consists of short learning tasks and mini projects in Year 10, and then a large project in Year 11 that act as course work. The breakdown is: -
Project: 60% of GCSE marks
Exam: 40% of GCSE marks

After KS4/Future Careers :
This course is ideal preparation for anyone wishing to study nutrition, catering or hotel management, teach technology or follow a career in the service industry.

The Technology Team
The new Technology Department currently consists of 4 full-time teachers. We also have two part-time technicians supporting Food and Resistant Materials.

Mr Wilks: Head of Technology
Mr Johns: Technology Teacher (Resistant Materials specialist)
Miss Febery: Technology Teacher (Textiles and Food specialist)
Mrs Williams: Technology Teacher / SEN Coordinator.
Mrs Andrews: Food Technician
Mr Jama: Technology Technician

Photos of these new KS3 projects and the GCSE courses will be uploaded to the website very soon.