Bishop Challoner Catholic
Collegiate School
Technology Faculty
In the Technology Faculty, our mission is to provide opportunities for pupils at
Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate School to develop as rounded individuals
who are confident and capable of realising their full potential.
We are committed to preparing our students for a global technological society. To
that end we have developed ongoing links with cutting-edge local designers,
universities, colleges, science and engineering organisations and industry specialists
to bring the real world technological experiences into the classroom. Students work
in tandem with external corporations and designers to heighten their awareness of
design and technology in the workplace.
Standards and Achievements 2010-11
GCSE Boys
Product Design (A) 100% *A-C
Product Design (B) 60% *A-C
GCSE Girls
Product Design 80% *A-C
Textiles 75% *A-C
Catering 60% *A-C
SIXTH FORM GCE
A ‘Level Product Design 75% *A-C
The Faculty
The Design and Technology faculty consists of eight well-resourced specialist
teaching rooms. Two of our rooms are full computer suites which facilitate both
Systems & Control and integration of CAD/CAM at all key stages. The remaining
rooms each contain a minimum of two PCs as well as standalone PCs, which are
dedicated machines running CAD/CAM equipment. Specialist Design& Technology
software means we integrate ICT across all of the learning and teaching, whilst
reinforcing pupils’ ability to refine their personal learning and thinking skills alongside
literacy.
The faculty has eight teachers, all of whom are specialists in one or more of our
curriculum areas; we have two technicians and an attached subject specialist cover
supervisor.
The Curriculum
At KS3 we teach Resistant Materials, Systems and Control, Food, Textiles (girls
only) and Graphics across both schools up to year 9. Students are able to develop
and extend their skills across all taught areas by studying four modules over the
academic year. Year 9 sees the start of pupils working towards their GCSEs. This
continues through to year 11, if pupils pick a Design & Technology option. Pupils
sitting AQA Design and Technology examinations take them in year 10 and if
necessary they re-sit another examination at year 11.
At KS4 both boys and girls can currently select between Product Design and
Catering GCSEs, with girls having an additional option of Textiles and Food
Technology. At A’ Level, we offer Textiles and Product Design, which by its nature
can be tailored to suit students wishing to study a more focused Textiles, Graphics,
Systems and Control or Resistant Materials route through the assessed task. We are
currently exploring the possibility of including GCE Food Technology in 2012.
The Design and Technology Pathway
In year 7, all pupils are given a baseline assessment which allows us as a faculty to
determine where each pupil is in relation to our five assessed areas (Research,
Designing, Planning, Evaluation and Making). Once this information has been
collated, pupils are set individual aspirational learning targets. Pupils have interim
assessments at the end of module two and four (as well as end of module
examinations) to facilitate tracking of pupil progress throughout the academic year.
In this way, we build a clear picture of the individual pupils’ attainment and
progression.
Students at KS3 (Years 7 -9), have a double period each week lasting 100 minutes.
At KS4 (Years 10 – 11), students have a double and a single lesson each week. KS5
students (Year 12-13), have three double lessons per week.
Assessment
Assessment at KS3 covers the five key areas in Design & Technology, all of which
foster the concepts of cultural understanding, creativity and critical evaluation. Our
scheme of work further incorporates routes through which personal learning and
thinking skills are developed. Teaching and learning data is also used to inform our
teaching, to set individual targets, to determine teaching sets and to track pupil
progress.
At KS4 – 5 we use the AQA and WJEC marking criteria to track and assess the
quality of the work produced. To assist pupils in their examinations, we also track
subject knowledge.
Extra-Curricular activities
•
KS3 and KS4 lunchtime and after school clubs
•
Saturday workshop
•
GO-FOR-SET Club
•
Sorrell Design Club
•
East London Schools- Boat building initiative
•
STEM activities
•
Rotary Chef competition