Departmental Staff
P J Williams, BSc (Plymouth) Head of Design & Technology
Mrs E Bader, BEd (Worcester College) Head of Second Form
M D Hallpike, CertEd (Crewe & Alsager)
Mrs R C Robinson, BA (Brighton) †
S Biggs Technician
Design & Technology at RGS
Design and Technology is currently offered at Key Stage 3, GCSE and A Level. All pupils in the First and Second Forms (Years 7 and 8) are taught two terms of Design and Technology and one term of Food Technology in a carousel arrangement. In the Third Form (Year 9), Students will have the opportunity to design and manufacture products developing a full range of skills including using the Laser Cutter which forms part of the departments CAD/CAM education.
Design and Technology forms part of a set of options which includes Modern Languages and creative subjects. About ninety students choose to study Design and Technology in the Third Form. In addition, the department runs a two day ‘industry challenge’ event for all Third Form students.
At GCSE and A Level, students study Product Design, following the WJEC courses. On average, about twenty students take GCSE. Students also have the opportunity to continue to study Product Design at A Level.
Design and Technology is housed in an impressive purpose-built facility on the main school site. The design room has computers and an interactive whiteboard and there is access to a suite of computers in an adjoining classroom. The workshops are set up to cater for wood, metalwork and plastic. In addition to the traditional tools and machinery the department boasts a Laser Cutter which enables students to manufacture their products to a very high standard. Food Technology is taught in a nearby room which is equipped for both practical and theory work. Both areas are well resourced with suitable equipment, textbooks, videos and support materials.
For a summary of the course please click here.
Examination Boards
GCSE: WJEC in Design & Technology (Product Design)
A-Level: WJEC in design & Technology (Product Design)
Examination Results: Food Technology
| GCSE |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
| No. of entries |
10 |
11 |
7 |
| % A/A* |
70 |
54.5 |
85.7 |
| % A-C |
100 |
100 |
100 |
Examination Results: Design Technology
| GCSE |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
| No. of entries |
8 |
16 |
33 |
| % A/A* |
12.5 |
31.3 |
54.5 |
| % A-C |
100 |
100 |
97 |
| A-Level |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
| No. of entries |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
| % A/A* |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
| % A-C |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Departmental activities 2010-11
This year students took part in an intensive two day Industry Challenge which was enjoyed by students from the Third Form. Weekly clubs have included Technology Club, Textiles Club and Green Power where students have had the opportunity to use the CAD/CAM facilities within the department to make products of their choice outside the curriculum. The Jewellery Workshop, Fashion Workshop and Textiles club produced collections for this year’s Fashion Show, along with some GCSE and A Level coursework. The Design and Technology department teamed up with Drama to put on two superb shows which were enjoyed by parents and students. During the Summer Festival students also took part in a Workshop Challenge where students from the Third Form made siege engines and competed to see how far they could launch objects.