Members of the Department
Mr T Hackett (HOD)
Mr B Connolly

Miss L O'Keefe
Mr J McPolin (Technician)

Aims

Technology and Design in Our Lady s is a unique learning environment where each student is both nurtured and challenged to achieve their best through a broad range of learning activities and skill developments. We also create links outside the classroom to aid learning and prepare students for life beyond school.

Key Stage 3

During Key Stage 3 pupils develop their technical knowledge and skills through a range of Design Projects. The schemes of work for these projects are created in such a way that the girls have the opportunity to work both independently, expressing themselves through their design ideas, and as part of teams where they develop communication and problem solving skills through their work.

Areas of learning and skill development include; creative design, manufacture, materials, modelling, electronics, Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacture.

Health and Safety is also a main component of learning across all year groups.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

Year 11 and Year 12 girls have the opportunity to study CCEA Technology & Design - Product Design, where they build on the learning experiences from Junior school. During Year 11 there is a broad knowledge base build across all core areas of Technology & Design including; Manufacturing, Design, Electronics, Mechanical Control and Pneumatic Control. The girls also continue to build on their communication through graphic skill development and Computer Aided Design.

In Year 12 students are challenged with designing and manufacturing their own product with a supporting portfolio of creative design and development work. They become proficient in the use of cutting edge Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing technology, using these to produce high quality design and outcomes. Together with their practical work, students also continue to develop their knowledge and understanding in theoretical topics which consider design and technology on an industrial scale.

With this GCSE qualification, students may choose to study GCE Technology and Design - Product Design at A Level.

Key Stage 5 (GCE)

Students can study GCE A-Level Technology and Design - Product Design.

In Lower and Upper Sixth students may choose to study this course for AS and A2 Level. With this further advancement, the girls build upon their learning at GCSE and continue to develop higher lever skills in analysis and critical thinking. Across both years they embrace two design opportunities, one sees students redeveloping and prototyping an everyday product and the other challenges them to identify a design problem or scenario in their daily living, prompting them to design and manufacture a product to counteract this problem or scenario.

During their A-Level course the girls make links to industry where they visit some excellent local companies such as MJM Marine Group and Glen Dimplex. This provides them with an opportunity to enhance their learning experience beyond the classroom and develop an understanding of the working world.

Extra-curricular

Throughout each academic year we offer various extra-curricular opportunities for students across all Key Stages. The aim of these opportunities is to provide an alternative learning experience beyond the classroom, one of further fun and enjoyment.

Over the past number of years, teams have competed in, and have had great success in, Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) competitions such as; Shake Rattle and Roll Challenge, LEGO Mindstorm competition, Youth Rocketry Challenge and the Bombardier Flight Experience Challenge.

Career Opportunities

Students who have studied Technology and Design at GCSE and A Level have gone on to take up careers in; Mechanical Engineering (working with McLaren Formula 1), Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Forensic Computing, Computing Science, Speech and Language Therapy, Product Design, Business and many more.