Design and Technology is an extremely well-resourced and popular subject at Orwell Park. The subject itself is a very diverse one and incorporates many areas, such as electronics and computer control through to resistant materials, textiles and food technology.

All pupils in the main school have a double lesson of Design Technology each week and also have the opportunity to attend additional extra-curricular activities, where they can pursue ideas of their own or simply brush up on their practical skills. Food technology is aimed at the lower year groups and covers a range of topic areas including nutrition and food safety; of course it also includes making some rather lovely food as well!

As pupils progress through the school they will cover a range of topic areas, including: design, technical drawing, CAD, CAM, research techniques, woodwork, metalwork, plastics, electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, enamelling, structures and materials.

Examples of practical work include the following – pencil racks, self-propelled vehicles, castles, bridges, jewellery, tack-hammers, garden forks and trowels, coat hooks, key rings, model boats, hydraulic toys, hanging basket brackets and many, many more!

In the lower year groups, pupils are given a comprehensive foundation course of skills, including how to be safe in the workshop. After this the practical work is made progressively more difficult and challenging. Whilst there are no examinations in this subject at this level of schooling, the department has been successful with scholarships to senior schools and has had encouraging news of GCSE and A level success from past pupils.

Nick Matthews