The Aylesbury Vale Academy - Success Beyond Belief

Department Structure

Head of department, 5 dedicated teaching staff including a Director of Learning Technology and 3 technicians.

subject overview

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

All students study Design and Technology in Key Stage 3 it is then taken as an option in Key stage 4. In Years 7, 8 and 9 students are taught Food Technology, Electronics, Textiles, Resistant Materials and Graphics Technology.

At the end of Year 9, students choose option subjects for GCSE. In Technology, they choose from Hospitality and Catering, Textiles, Product Design (this option includes the possibility to work with compliant materials, resistant materials, metals, food and textiles) and Graphics.

teaching aims & objectives

In design and technology pupils combine practical and technological skills with creative thinking to design and make products and systems that meet human needs. They learn to use current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments. They learn to think creatively and intervene to improve the quality of life, solving problems as individuals and members of a team.

Working in stimulating contexts that provide a range of opportunities and draw on the local ethos, community and wider world, pupils identify needs and opportunities. They respond with ideas, products and systems, challenging expectations where appropriate. They combine practical and intellectual skills with an understanding of aesthetic, technical, cultural, health, social, emotional, economic, industrial and environmental issues. As they do so, they evaluate present and past design and technology, and its uses and effects. Through design and technology pupils develop confidence in using practical skills and become discriminating users of products. They apply their creative thinking and learn to innovate.

Teaching in the Technology Department seeks to:

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

Course Information

Key stage 3 is made up of years 7 and 8, students study Food, Textiles Resistant Materials and Electronics technology they remain with the same teacher over the course of the year, this gives stability for students and supports their progress.  All students have the opportunity to produce quality practical outcomes, with the relevant theory work to support the design manufacturing process.

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 project. This level is then aggregated at the end of Key Stage 3.

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.

Examinations

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.