Technology

As a Technology College we have pioneered developments in the three specialist subjects: Design and Technology, Maths and Science. However, since 1995, we have used our status as a specialist school for Technology to develop the use of new technologies as effective tools for learning and teaching across the curriculum and as a consequence information and communication technology now pervades the school. We are currently in the fourth phase of our development as a Technology College and performance in each of the specialist subjects is consistently above the national average. In the current phase we have broadened our curriculum and extended our enrichment programme.

In Design and Technology pupils in Year 9 have the opportunity to follow a GCSE Short Course in Product Design and are encouraged to participate in challenging applied SmallPeice courses at Higher Education Institutions across the UK. All pupils are encouraged to follow a Design subject in Key Stage 4 and these courses are complemented by our portfolio of applied courses in ICT which includes the industrial standard CISCO and I-Pro courses.

In Maths pupils are encouraged to follow a GCSE in Statistics alongside their GCSE Mathematics in Key Stage 4 and gifted and talented Mathematicians follow an Additional Maths GCSE in preparation for A Level. The Maths team host a range of events to enthuse and engage pupils, including a Year 6 ‘Crystal Maze’ competition.

In Science pupils have the opportunity to follow either separate sciences at GCSE, Core and Additional or Applied Science. This year we have introduced a BTEC in Applied Science and pupils in Year 10 following this course have responded well to the structure of the course and have achieved positive outcomes in the unit assessments. There is an annual science enrichment project for gifted and talented pupils and a biennial Science Fair which in March 2009 reflected the school’s commitment to the national STEM agenda which seeks to promote the transferable skills and creativity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

As a Technology College we are committed to:

• promoting a culture which is creative, scientific, technological, enterprising and an applied learning;
• raising attainment in design & technology, science and mathematics;
• contributing to whole school improvement through innovative approaches to teaching and learning, particularly through the use of new technologies;
• developing and sharing good practice across the curriculum and in particular across the specialist subjects;
• leading in the provision and delivery of related Diplomas lines such as: Engineering, Construction & Built Environment, Manufacturing & Product Design, Information Technology and Science;
• improving post-16 participation in the specialist subjects and related areas of study;
• providing a range of enrichment opportunities and an applied learning learning in the specialist subjects to improve understanding and extend learning for students and others in the community;
• sharing and developing resources with a local family of schools and the wider community; and
• increasing the future employment opportunities for students to develop the skills needed to progress into employment, further education/training and higher education according to their individual abilities, aptitudes and ambitions

For more information about Technology Colleges follow this link: http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/specialistschools/what_are/technology/?version=1