Technology

Department Staffing:

• D. Spence  – Head of Design and Technology
• P. Salem –  Technology Faculty Leader
• H. McCracken –  Whole school KS3 coordinator
• L. Kay –  Family Leader
• Miss J Nunn – 1/c of Health & Social Care
• C. Deighton – DT Technician
• K Forster – Link Senior Manager
• D. Gallagher  – Link Governor

 

Faculty Mission Statement/ Aims:

DT is unique, offering all students, particularly those who are capable Maths and Science, an opportunity not only to maintain an interest in these areas but to develop their capabilities by drawing upon all they know and applying it to real life situations.  DT is therefore ‘vocademic’ in nature, requiring the full ability range of learners to extend and apply their expertise from other areas in order to evaluate critically and question what they see around them in the ‘made’ world; challenging stereotypical and poor design to become better informed and discerning consumers.

Using the skill and specialisms of staff, competitions, extra-curricular clubs, visits and visitors to support teaching and learning, DT is at the heart of Seaham School of Technology.

Curriculum Details:

Year 7      

Year 7 students operate on a carousel studying 4 DT ‘projects’ over the course of the year. Every 9 weeks your child will change teacher and classrooms to study a specialist area of DT. In year 7 students cover the following projects:

• Balancing Toy – Product Design
• Puppet – Textiles
• Drawing Skills – Graphics
• Sushi – Food and Nutrition

 

Year 8

Year 8 students operate on a carousel studying 4 DT ‘projects’ over the course of the year. Every 9 weeks your child will change teacher and classrooms to study a specialist area of DT. In year 8 students cover the following projects:

 

• Cushion – Textiles
• Book Cover – Graphics
• Healthy Eating – Food and Nutrition
• Amplifier – Product Design

 

Year 9

Year 9 students operate on a carousel studying 4 DT ‘projects’ over the course of the year. Every 9 weeks your child will change teacher and classrooms to study a specialist area of DT. In year 9 students cover the following projects:

 

• Upcycling Pallets – Product Design
• Choices – Food and Nutrition
• Eco-Bag – Textiles
• Crash Bottom Box – Graphics

 

KS4

 

For GCSE we offer the following subjects to study in depth for student to opt into:

• GCSE Textiles
• GCSE Product Design
• GCSE Catering

All of these courses study each of the material areas in depth and offer students the chance to deepen their knowledge of a particular subject area. GCSE subjects are heavily practical (where possible) and students are expected to complete controlled assessment and take a written examination.

Homework Policy:

All students are offered the ‘takeaway homework’ at the beginning of each project which requires them to choose the homework they wish to do by the end of week two and by the end of week 5 of each project. The homework students are offered is displayed below.

Faculty Expectations:

Students are inducted into the department during Y7 with thorough health and safety training, demonstrations of the safe use of tools, machinery and equipment, supported by discussions regarding responsible behaviour in workshops. Each successive year they confirm that they have received this training before being allowed to choose and use equipment, tools and machinery relevant to their practical work. Students are also made aware of general safety regarding movement in and around rooms by ensuring bags, blazers, stools etc. are stowed tidily and that drinks are not allowed in practical areas. Class sizes are kept to a minimum of 20 whenever possible and teaching rooms are regularly risk assessed.

DT staff have relevant up-to-date safety qualifications and accreditation.

Faculty Advice:

You can support your child in DT by ensuring they come to school with the correct equipment (planner, pen, pencil etc.), checking they make time to do their homework well (meeting deadlines) and asking them about their work in DT.

They can bring home all their practical work (usually at no cost) so please discuss what they are making, give lots of praise and find a suitable display place to show off their finished products to friends and relatives at home.

Faculty Contact:

If you have a problem or need any advice regarding your child’s learning in DT do not hesitate to contact Mr. Spence in the first instance by telephoning the school or email at d.spence@seaham.durham.sch.uk

Mrs. Salem p.salem@seaham.durham.sch.uk is available if further clarification is needed.

Additionally, all students have access to google apps for education, where KS4 students can request access from their teacher for access to past exam papers, examination mark schemes and more.

Faculty Contact:

If you have a problem or need any advice regarding your child’s learning in DT do not hesitate to contact Mr. Spence in the first instance (by telephoning the school or email at d.spence@seaham.durham.sch.uk

Mrs. Salem p.salem@seaham.durham.sch.uk  is available if further clarification is needed.

Useful websites:

There are many useful websites available online to support with KS3 and KS4 work. The ones that we would most recommend are:

• technologystudent.com
• mr-d-n-t.co.uk
• BBC Bitesize

Electronics

Product Design

Textiles

Clo-tex	Skillfast-UK project aimed to support textiles and clothing education in UK schools and colleges
Computer Textile Design Group	Association of people who promote the use of computers in the design of textiles for embroidery, surface design, screen printing, patchwork, quilting, knitting, beading, lace-making, needlework, stitching and other textile activities
DuPont	Extensive information on fibres and fabrics, including safety data, properties, applications and manufacturer contacts
Embroiderers Guild	Craft organisation, educational charity and registered museum which promotes embroidery and provides access to its resources and skills for the benefit of the whole community
fabricadabra	Products, workshops and work-related learning in the classroom (Key Stage 4/post-16)
Fabriclink	Includes consumer guide, fabric education and retailer’s forum
Field & Trek	Some visuals and details including tents, rucksacks and other outdoor equipment
The Keynote Project	Key skills and work placement pack
Paul Smith	Information on the British designer, including video clips and fashion library archives
SOFTswitch	Information about textiles incorporating electronics (intelligent fabrics)
SpeedStep	Subsidised textiles software available through CAD/CAM in Schools
Textiles Collection	Containing over 3000 artefacts, ranging from Coptic textiles through to British woollen cloths, Kashmir shawls, African strip weaving and Scandinavian furnishing fabrics
Textile Innovation	Site describes the book exploring the newest and most exciting developments in modern textile technology
Textiles Hotline	Site developed by an AST describing various activities including INTX, a project outlining ways in which linking with industry can show students that textiles is about more than sewing and fashion
Textiles Online	Interactive resource for exploring the world of textiles
Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen	Includes story of the company, virtual factory tour, wide range of products and interior design information
Young Embroiderers	Access to up-to-date information on weaving, embroidery, knitting, felt making, dyeing, braiding and printing

 Cad Cam