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Inspection report 2010
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Design and Technology
What will your child study?
Technology remains compulsory in Year 9 and one project is completed per term. Pupils learn many new skills and use a large variety of tools to complete projects which are now more closely linked to the Systems and Control stream of Design and Technology. Examples of current projects include:
- Electronic game using microprocessor control.
- Air powered rocket car.
In Years 10 and 11 pupils can choose to study Systems and Control Technology at AS level. We do not study for GCSE.
Course content
The AS course provides an exciting opportunity for students to learn about components, materials, manufacture, design and market influences and then use the knowledge gained to undertake an advanced individual project. Students will spend 50% of time on their own project.
We begin studying AS Level Systems and Control in Year 10 and follow the AQA course specification. A GCSE course is not a prerequisite to A level and is very similar to the AS course, the biggest difference is the way the practical project is assessed. We therefore start in Year 10 with the basics assuming no prior knowledge and build up the theory and practical skills needed for the exam and the project.
Example projects:
- Automatic garden watering system
- Self-levelling vehicle
- Remote magnetic-adhesion robot
- Pan and tilt ping-pong ball launcher
- Smartie colour sorter
How will they be assessed?
In Year 9 pupils are assessed on their design work and how well the final product is made and functions. In addition, an end of term assessment takes the form of a computer based test.
In Years 10 and 11 pupils are assessed through homework, end of topic tests and close monitoring of their coursework report.
AS assessment
50%: 2hr written exam on materials, components and application. May of Year 11.
50%: Coursework. Submission of coursework report by May of Year 11.
