Technology - Engineering
Engineering and manufacture in Plymouth and surrounding area, employs around 12% of the workforce, which is the greatest concentration within any city in the south of England outside of London.
We aim to assist the local economy in being able to provide the next generation of engineers and employees from within the local population. There is a national shortage of highly qualified engineering staff, giving us the motivation to offer a high quality engineering pathway in the school from year 7 to year 13.
In Key Stage 4 we start in year 9 on a foundation course which aims to develop specific skills required for entry onto our vocational engineering qualification in year 10. The development of autonomy using workshop equipment forms a large part of year 9, coupled with the development of knowledge of specific engineering materials for commercial contexts.
Intent
We believe that a ‘world-class’ curriculum facilitates personal development, equipping students to engage in the crucial debates and conversations of their time - preparing them for the demands of local, national and international society.
We must provide a curriculum for our students that allows them to attain high quality qualifications routed in a deep foundation of transferrable knowledge acquired from a range of subject areas.
In a context where limited experiences of different religions, cultures and travel outside of the South West are common it is incumbent on our curriculum to facilitate these opportunities. The curriculum must ensure that students progress on from Tor Bridge High with the awareness and understanding to allow them to both integrate and flourish in a modern democratic society.
Technology is a multi disciplinary subject which is inspiring , motivating and practical in approach. Learning draws on a wealth of cross-curricular subject knowledge, skills and approaches to develop products and processes that address real and relevant problems within varied contexts. Students acquire a broad range of knowledge and experience, drawing from disciplines such as Maths, Science and Art, to develop an overall capability in Technology.
The application of knowledge in the development of technical and practical processes underpin our Technology learning, together with the study and evaluation of past, present and future innovations. Students develop an awareness of the impact of technology on our lives and society, and are able to become discerning, resourceful, innovative and capable citizens.
Curriculum Structure - KS4
Year 9
The development of practical workshop skills in manufacture forms a large part of this foundation year. Students extend their skills and develop more depth in their ability to use tools, machinery and a wide range of equipment to plan and make products of varying complexity. The aim of the foundation course is to allow development of the underpinning skills and understanding of concepts which they will be requiring for developing a broad knowledge of mechanical and commercial principles, which are commonly found in the workplace.
Year 10
Cambridge National Engineering –
· Unit R109 - Development of exam specific knowledge and methods: Materials, Traditional and new processes, automation.
· Unit R110 - Development of practical and portfolio work for assessment in traditional manufacture.
Year 11
Cambridge National Engineering –
· Unit R111 - Assessment of engineering skills in computer aided manufacture
· Unit R112 - Assessment of engineering knowledge of quality control.
· Unit R109 - Development of exam specific content: materials, traditional and new processes, automation.
What methods will be used to assess work, when are key assessment points? etc.
Year 9
50% Coursework Assessment – Practical and Portfolio Practical project work.
50% Technical Knowledge – Unit Tests
Year 10
Unit R110 – Traditional Manufacture Portfolio (25% of final grade)
Unit R111 – Computer Controlled Manufacture Portfolio (25%)
Year 11
Unit R112 – Quality Control Portfolio (25%)
Unit R109 – Written Exam (25%)
The Tor Bridge Greenpower F24 electric racing car project provides a great motivational and aspirational focus for our young engineers. We have many students who have taken an active role in the development of our two school-built, multi award winning cars, with some taking on the challenge of competing against some of the top cars in the country during the South West regional events. Many activities also take place during lunch times, and also after school.