The Design and Technology Department
3/D&T Department
THE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Design and Technology is an innovative and creative key department within the school which is well resourced with technology and ICT. Interest and uptake at GCSE and A-Level is high. The Design & Technology department is also part of the Science College specialism and runs wholeschool initiatives as well as subjectspecific events.
The department aims to foster an appreciation of design, their appropriate technologies and to develop an understanding of technical knowledge and skills students need in order to achieve their best. Staff aspire to teach 21st century learners, equipping them for business and industry, teaching high quality designing, making and engineering with links to the STEM agenda. This enables students to work in different areas of the industry, from graduate to technician to craft industries. Students are enthusiastic and well-motivated.
The Curriculum
Every student has two hours of Design and Technology a week. Students are taught in mixed ability groups and follow a common programme of study in KS3. Our projects where possible, appeal to the 21st century learner. Students move through a model which allows the teacher to move with the students allowing the students and teacher a greater continuity. There is an emphasis on producing high quality projects and resources for each other to use which works well and this in turn encourages staff to maintain high standards.
At GCSE, students follow the Edexcel specifications for the full suite of Design & Technology; Electronic Products, Food Technology, Graphic Products, Resistant Materials and Textiles Technology. The Head of Department moderates and examines for Edexcel. As results have risen, uptake has too with over half the cohort selecting one or more Design & Technology subjects for GCSE.
The department currently offers A-level courses in Product Design (3D), Systems and Control Technology through the Design & Technology route and Textiles and Graphic Communication through the Art & Design route. The department follow AQA specifications for all. Uptake is healthy with group sizes of approximately 10-15 students.
Beyond the Curriculum
The department offers a number of activities to engage students in Design & Technology. As well as entering teams for local competitions, including the Electronics in Schools Inter-School competition, the department run lunch time clubs in Electronics and Textiles and after school Masterclass sessions for students at GCSE and A-Level. The department also runs educational visits to Making It! Discovery Centre, Snibston Discovery Centre, Sir Isaac Newton lecture, Construction Days and local industry visits for GCSE and A-Level students. At A-Level the department also visit local universities, degree shows, 2-day trips to London and a 6 day visit to New York as well as holding an annual D&T Show to exhibit the students work. Plans are also in the pipeline for a crosscurricular trip to Barcelona with the Spanish department for 6th form next academic year.
The Design & Technology Team
The Design & Technology team is friendly, supportive and forward-looking. The sharing of ideas and teaching strategies is a key feature of the department. All members of the team take responsibility for an aspect of the department’s work enabling us to offer students a wide range of opportunities within and beyond the curriculum. The department consists of seven Design & Technology teachers supported by an Art teacher. The department is assisted by three technicians and is led by the Head of Department and an Assistant Head of Department.
Accommodation & Resources
The Electronics room has 20 networked computers which help to run Circuit Wizard and SolidWorks software, a Roland RotoMill cutter, PCB drills and soldering irons with brand new electronic benching.
The main Food room consists of 20 fully equipped work stations with new ovens. Another food room is used for small groups and has 18 networked computer work stations for department use and clean area for paperwork.
The Graphics room is equipped with general graphics equipment, a Roland VersaSTUDIO wide-format printer cutter, 20 networked computers and an A1 laser cutter.
The two workshop areas are fully equipped for work in Resistant Materials and have the usual hand and machine tools available, including bandsaws, centre lathes, milling machines, vacuum-forming equipment, heat area and an A1 laser cutter. A separate machine room houses the circular saw, planer/thicknesser, power hacksaw and materials stock.
The Textiles area is housed in a large, light, southwest-facing room which is equipped with 20 sewing machines, embellisher, sublimation printing, batik, screen printing and computer-controlled embroidery machine.
Our CAD suite is mainly used for A-Level theory classes and is equipped with 16 networked computers.
We also have a specialist 6th Form room which we use for small groups and 10 networked computers with a 3D printer.
The department is heavily resourced with new computers which are replaced every three years. The department also owns a laptop trolley for Resistant Materials and Textiles students to complete their controlled assessment work. A central A3 photocopier/scanner/printer it accessible to all students to print out their work and every room has a data projector and wi-fi network across.
The Vacancy
Required for September 2014, a well-qualified and enthusiastic full-time teacher of Design & Technology to join this thriving and successful department. The successful candidate should be able to teach Resistant Materials and Graphics to GCSE and preferably to A Level. An ability to teach to across the subjects within Design & Technology would be advantageous.
Design & Technology is a popular subject at GCSE and A Level and this post represents an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and forward thinking team. Applications are welcome from teachers at any stage in their career; also from newly qualified teachers, for whom the school runs a comprehensive induction programme.
PSME
In addition to teaching within the department, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute positively to the school’s Care and Guidance programme, including the delivery of PSME (Personal, Social and Moral Education) as and when required.
General Information
All offers of employment are made subject to the following:
· The receipt of two satisfactory references, one of which should be from the successful candidate’s current/most recent employer.
· Occupational Health Screening and, if necessary, a medical examination to ascertain that the successful candidate is fit to perform the duties of the post.
· A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (see below).
William Farr School is committed to the safeguarding of children, and all posts within school are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are required to reveal information concerning all convictions, including those which would otherwise be considered as ‘spent’. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced background check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). References will be taken up prior to interview.
How to Apply
Please apply via the TES website only. Applicants should complete the application form and submit a letter of application of no more than 2 sides of A4 paper, stating their qualifications and experience to date and how this will equip them to fulfil the responsibilities of the post. The letter should be attached to the application form before uploading.
The closing date for applications is Thursday 23 January 2014. Interviews are scheduled to take place on Friday 31 January 2014. If you have not been contacted by Tuesday 28 January 2014, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Feedback will only be provided to candidates who attend for interview.
December 2013