Currently, the Technology & Design Department brings together three subject areas under its traditional single focus: Technology & Design, Construction and the Built Environment, and Engineering.
Technology & Design
By studying Technology and Design, students gain insight into the potential impact of technology and why it plays such an important role in the world around us.
Technology is neither inherently good nor bad; its effects are complex, difficult to predict, and can be valued differently by different people at different times.
The subject focuses mainly on the design and production of high-quality technological products. Each design is shaped by external influences such as consumer demand, market conditions, customer expectations, and consumer protection laws.
Through Technology and Design, students have the opportunity to address and solve real-world design and technological challenges to meet human needs—developing improved methods, creating innovative solutions, and taking informed risks.
Key Stage 3
Throughout Key Stage 3, all pupils study Technology and Design. Each year, they develop core knowledge in areas such as Resistant Materials, Electronics, sketching, and CAD/CAM, while also gaining hands-on experience working in a manufacturing environment.
Year 8
Pupils undertake three practical projects, one per term, each with a different focus and aim.
- Project one centres on Computer Aided Design
- Project two develops hand skills and improves dexterity.
- Project three concentrates on mechanisms as well as form and finish.
Year 8 is based on learning through practical experience. This range of projects allows students to discover their strengths and identify areas for improvement, while enjoying the process of learning how to design and create.
Year 9
Year 9 takes a step back and encourages pupils to return to pencil sketching, a fundamental skill within the subject. Every product that exists has been manufactured, and before anything is made, it must first be designed.
- Term 1 is dedicated to developing each pupil’s sketching and design skills, regardless of ability level.
- Term 2 focuses on modelling and manufacturing, building on the skills gained in Year 8.
- Term 3 places emphasis on computer-aided manufacture.
Year 10
Year 10 becomes more technologically advanced, focusing on microcontrollers. Pupils construct the hardware and then develop the software to create complex functionality, resulting in a two-player electronic game.
- Electronic components
- Soldering and wiring
- PIC programming
Pupils are encouraged to experiment with this work and are given opportunities to extend their learning by independently creating flowcharts using an electronic simulation package.
Key Stage 4 GCSE Technology & Design (CCEA)
Pupils follow a two-year course leading to the sitting of GCSE (CCEA) Technology and Design.
We follow the Product Design Option which provides opportunities to build on the skills and capabilities developed through the Northern Ireland Curriculum at Key Stage 3.
- It enables students to develop transferable skills that will support them in vocational training and future employment.
- It raises awareness of the creative, engineering, and manufacturing industries.
- It includes elements of product design, as well as systems and control.
- It encourages students to be creative, innovative, and willing to take design risks.
- It highlights the importance of high-quality design and technology.
- It helps students understand that many modern innovations are developed from existing and historical solutions.
- It is supported by planning frameworks and student guides for both teachers and learners.
- It features strong cross-curricular links.
- Become independent and discerning users of digital technology
- Acquire and apply digital technology knowledge in a range of contexts
- Develop creative and technical skills
- Design, develop and evaluate digital solutions to solve problems
- Understand current and emerging technologies and their social and commercial impact
- Explore legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental issues
- Recognise risks and develop safe, secure and responsible practices
- Develop collaborative working skills
The final grade is based on 50% controlled assessment, which requires pupils to complete a design-and-make project. Both the practical outcome and design portfolio are started in Year 11 and finished in Year 12.
Key Stage 5 A Level
Technology & Design
Pupils follow a one-year course in lower sixth leading to the sitting of GCE AS (CCEA) Technology and Design and then proceed to GCE A2 (CCEA) Technology and Design in Upper Sixth.
CCEA GCE Technology & Design
The CCEA GCE Technology and Design specification encourages students to recognise and overcome challenges and constraints when working towards making high quality products.
AS Level:
The AS units include a common core of design and materials and a specialised study of product design. Students also complete a product development task that is internally assessed.
A2 Level:
Students who continue to explore product design in greater detail than at AS level. The A2 course includes an internally assessed design-and-make task.
Engineering BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
Complimenting A levels, the department offers an alternative course of study at Key Stage 5.
Engineering includes a wide range of roles and involves applying scientific principles and practical skills to safely turn ideas and materials into products and systems, as well as supporting them throughout their lifecycle.
This BTEC national extended certificate qualification focuses on several specialist areas within engineering and is equivalent to one A-Level. Students will study mandatory content that covers:
- engineering principles and mathematics
- health and safety, teamwork, and interpreting and producing computer-aided engineering drawings
- the design and manufacture of products.
Construction & the Built Environment
From modern offices, advanced sports stadiums and large shopping centres to historic buildings, retail spaces and family homes, construction plays a key role in shaping the towns and cities we live in. Major projects such as international gas and oil pipelines and ambitious transport links like Japan’s Seikan Tunnel and the Channel Tunnel have even taken construction beneath the sea. With the development of space stations, construction is now extending beyond Earth into space.
Whether on land, underwater or in space, turning plans into structures requires a wide range of specialist skills, making construction a diverse and complex industry. It is therefore no surprise that construction is the UK’s largest industry, employing around 2.2 million people. Despite its size, the sector continues to face skills shortages. Current initiatives aim to bring half a million skilled workers into the industry, creating exciting and rewarding opportunities for learners of all ages.
Key Stage 4 GCSE Construction & the Built Environment (CCEA)
The CCEA GCSE Construction and the Built Environment specification features up-to-date content that reflects modern-day practices in the construction industry.
It encourages students to develop their knowledge of the industry, which they then apply in relevant and work-related contexts.
Students learn to interpret drawings of domestic buildings and explore the materials and sustainable methods used in domestic and commercial construction. The specification also helps students to appreciate the importance of health and safety in the construction industry.
To enhance their practical skills, students complete a craft project based on woodwork, brickwork or blockwork. They also develop their computer-aided design knowledge, understanding and skills by producing a portfolio of work.
This qualification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed through the Science and Technology Area of Learning.
This specification is unitised, so it’s possible to take part of the assessment at the end of the first year of study.
The specification has four units:
- Unit 1: Introduction to the Built Environment
- Unit 2: Sustainable Construction
- Unit 3: The Construction Craft Project
- Unit 4: Computer Aided Design in Construction.
Key Stage 5
Construction & the Built Environment BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
Following on from GCSE CBE the department now also offers a Key Stage 5 course of study in the subject. Two course options are available.
- Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment equivalent to one A-Level
- Pearson BTEC level 3 National Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment equivalent to two A-Levels.
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment is equivalent in size to one A Level. As well as third level education or as direct entry to employment, this qualification is ideal for post-16 learners wanting to gain the core skills and knowledge required to progress to an Apprenticeship or to a work-based training programme in the construction sector.
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Construction
The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment is equivalent in size to two A Levels. It is designed to meet two-thirds of a full-time curriculum. It allows learners to develop significant core knowledge and provides an extensive range of optional areas to allow more depth in areas of their choice.
Departmental Extracurricular Opportunities
The enrichment to the student experience is provided by an extensive extracurricular offering. Students attend various STEM based competitions throughout the year. Two of the most anticipated are LEGO League and UKRoc Rocketry Challenge.
These experiences give students the chance to use their skills in relaxed, real-world situations and consider different future careers in areas linked to STEM.
The department also organises various visits to local industry throughout the year and participates in shared education courses at Key Stage 3.