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St John the Baptist’s College, Portadown

Technology

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

As we live in a high technology society it is fair to say that our way and quality of life as well as our standard of living is dependent to a large extent upon the manufacture of sophisticated products and, of course, all of these have to be designed. Technology & Design is an exciting subject which provides opportunities for pupils to solve all sorts of problems in a practical way by designing and making things.

Technology Department staff:

Mr R McCabe

Miss E Lavery

Mr P McSherry

Mr D Feeney (Technician)

 

KS3 Overview

Key Stage 3

Here in the TD Department of St John the Baptist’s, pupils will develop skills in:

Materials: working with wood, metal and plastic

Graphics: 2D and 3D drawing techniques

CAD: Computer Aided Drawing (Solidworks package)

Fabrication: Joining materials using the most appropriate method Finishing techniques: Producing a high quality finish on a range of materials

Energy and control

Working with tools and machinery is an important part of this subject.  Pupils gain experience and confidence working in a safe, controlled and enjoyable environment.

KS4 Overview

While Technology and Design is a subject covered by all pupils at KS3 (Year 8 to Year 10) pupils will have an opportunity of continuing their studies in Technology in Years 11 & 12.

Currently the department offers the following qualifications.

 

GCSE Technology & Design

This is offered at the College to Key Stage 4 pupils as a two year GCSE course taken through the CCEA examining board.

The specification has been designed to encourage candidates to be able to design and make products with creativity and originality, using a range of materials and techniques. The specification is also designed to foster awareness amongst candidates, of the need to consider sustainability and the environmental impact of their designing.

The assessment is divided into 3 components:

Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3
Core Content Optional area of study (Product design) Design and Manufacture Project
  • Designing
  • Manufacturing

  • Electronics

  • Mechanisms

  • Pneumatics

  • Computer Control Systems

  • Design and innovation

  • Manufacturing practices

  • Materials, components and fabrication

  • Market influences

  • Social responsibility of product design

  • Design Portfolio (10 A3 pages including initial research, design ideas sketching, modelling, CAD, etc)

  • Manufacturing (1 prototype to be manufactured that has been designed and developed within the design portfolio using a range of materials and manufacture techniques.

25% 25% 50%

 

Occupational Studies Construction

This is one of two vocational qualifications offered by the Technology department. It is designed to be accessible with learners of all abilities and provides them with the practical skills and basic knowledge required to manufacture items made from solid timber and manufactured board.

This Occupational Studies qualification is targeted at learners working towards and at Level 1 and 2 within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). It is a Single Award accredited by CCEA and involves pupils completing two units. The Units offered by St John the Baptist’s College are outlined below.

Unit 1:  Carpentry and Joinery

This unit requires the learner to demonstrate in a practical way the ability to use basic Carpentry and Joinery hand tools safely in the construction industry. Pupils will also manufacture a range of products incorporating a wide range of joints and joining methods.

Unit 2: Bench Joinery

This unit is designed to provide increased vocational skills in bench joinery and associated activities. It requires the learner to demonstrate in a practical way the ability to use an increased number of Carpentry and Joinery hand tools and basic hand-held power tools. Pupils will also learn basic techniques of cutting, boring and planning to produce construction related components. 

Occupational Studies Engineering

This is one of two vocational qualifications offered by the Technology department. It is designed to be accessible with learners of all abilities and provides them with the practical skills and basic knowledge required to manufacture components in metal.

This Occupational Studies qualification is targeted at learners working towards and at Level 1 and 2 within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). It is a Single Award accredited by CCEA and involves pupils completing two units. The Units offered by St John the Baptist’s College are outlined below.

Unit 1: Manufacturing Techniques - Fabrication (Sheet Metal Work)

This unit requires the learner to demonstrate in a practical way the ability to cut, form, and join sheet metal. It is anticipated that these processes will include using hand tools such as shears, guillotines, hammers, files, hacksaw, folding machines, drills and measuring equipment such as rule, square and protractor.

Unit 2: Manufacturing Techniques - Assembly (HandFitting)

This unit requires the learner to demonstrate in a practical way the ability to use hand tools such as hack saws, files, square, hammers, centre punch, tap and die, scribers, spanners and screwdrivers. The unit also requires the learner to demonstrate the ability to measure accurately using measuring equipment such as rules, verniers, gauges and micrometers.

Technology Twitter Feed

News

14th Oct 2024
STEM Club returns Tuesday after school. Take a look at what the stem club got up...
 
 
 
 
31st Jan 2024
Pictured are some of our Year 11 GCSE Technology and Construction pupils at the...
 
 
 
 
13th Oct 2023
St John the Baptist PS came into school today to take part in several STEM activities....
 
 
 
 
25th Sep 2023
PWC are running a 'Girls in STEM' event on Wednesday, 11th October 2023, from 5pm...
 
 
 
 
7th Feb 2023
On Friday Miss Molloy and Mr Dineen held their STEM Careers Information morning...
 
 
 
 
8th Sep 2022
Homework Club is back from Monday 12th Sep. Join us Mon - Thu each week at the...
 
 
 
 
25th Aug 2022
SJBC leading the way in its first year of GCSE Results! Results day 2022...
 
 
 
 
16th Jun 2022
Year 9s created mechanical toys in Technology and Design. Well done all!