Introduction

St Joseph's Technology/Engineering Department has been given a £1.2million upgrade, equipping us with up to date CAD, CAM and Engineering resources. The study of Technology contributes to the social, intellectual, physical and moral development of pupils. Therefore, the aims of Technology and Design are closely aligned to the general school aims and mission statement of being a centre of knowledge and goodness and to generally develop pupils within the Catholic ethos of respect for the environment and the community.

Through this upgrade the facilities have been greatly modernised with ‘state of the art’ machinery and equipment for all aspect of Technology and Engineering.  As well as all workshop facilities refurbished, there is are dedicated CAD/CAM and ICT planning areas within the department.

Technology prepares pupils to take part in the development of tomorrow’s rapidly changing world.  Creatively thinking, encourages pupils to make positive changes to their quality of life.  Technology and Design Design  encourages pupils to become autonomous and creative problem solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team.  It enables them to identify needs and opportunities and to respond by developing ideas, and eventually manufacture products and systems.  Through their studies of Technology and Design, pupils combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social, cultural and environmental issues, as well as functions, health and safety and industrial practices.  This allows them to reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technologies, its uses and impacts.  Technology and Design, helps and supports pupils to become informed consumers and potential innovators

St Joseph’s College Technology and Engineering department, follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum at Key Stage 3 as the basis for the schemes of work.  At Key Stage 4 we currently offer Edexcel Pearson BTEC Engineering.

Departmental Aims and Objectives

• To have high expectations of all student’s attainment and personal unique capabilities.
• To create an environment where there is an emphasis on success and potential, and where all individuals and their achievements are valued and celebrated.
• To develop a broad and balanced curriculum which encompasses a wide range of learning experiences and reflects the need of the local community.
• To continually develop departmental staff skills.
• To develop an understanding of technological processes and products, their manufacture and their contribution to our society.
• To foster a caring, nurturing, safe, enjoyable and facilitate learning and teaching in an aspirational learning environment for all pupils
• To feed in to the Whole School Development Plan.

Department Resources

• Design Room with CAD resources (newly furnished)
• Systems Room
• 2 Manufacturing/Engineering Rooms with a range of up to date hand tools and machines (newly furnished)
• Computer Aided manufacturing- Laser cutter, CNC mills
• One to One iPad resources and support

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, Technology and Design is essential a practical based course that is designed to allow students to combine skills and knowledge with an understanding of materials, properties and processes to design and manufacture quality products.  The development of ICT skills is integrated into all specialisms with Technology and Design and is viewed as an essential component of the KS3 programme of study.  All pupils experience the use of CAD/CAM within Technology and Design.  The KS3 programme of study provides three distinct styles of activity through which pupils develop their Technology and Design and ICT capability.

Projects =

            Year 8:  Introduction to Technology and Design with Sustainability (Environmental), Basic Computer Aided Design and Electronics (Key Fob Light)

          Year 9: Renewable Energy (Boat project), Traditional Graphics along side CAD and CAM, Resistant materials (Phone holder)

         Year 10: Resistant Materials (Security Box), Introduction to Engineering- Metalwork (iPad Holder), Development of Technical Drawing skills

Key Stage 4

At KS4, pupils will study Pearson BTEC Level 2 First Award in Engineering.  The Edexcel BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Engineering is taught over 120 guided learning hours (GLH). It has core and optional specialist units. Learners must complete the two core units, and a choice of optional units to reach a total of 120 GLH.

Assessment

This BTEC First Award has units that your centre assesses (internal) and a unit that Edexcel sets and marks (external).

Course Content

Unit 7 (Machining Techniques) will be delivered in year 11 this is 60 GLH hours.

The following units will be delivered in year 12

Unit 1 (Introduction to the Engineered World).  This unit has an external assessment (online examination)

Unit 2 (Investigating an Engineered Product).  This unit is internally assessed.

Extra Curricular

The Technology department offer STEM Club after school which allows pupils the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and interest in the STEM subjects.

Other extra curricular activities include:

• Revision classes
• Welding Club
• Off timetable manufacturing classes
• STEM Club
• STEM visits to Engineering firms
• Links with MEGA
• Links with local industry – Specdrum, Edge Innovate etc
• Links with Mid Ulster Council.
• Links with Dyson Foundation