The extensive facilities within the Design Technology Department
make it possible for pupils to experience a whole range of
designing and making activities, including Graphics, Electronics
and Resistant Materials. Girls in Years 7, 8 and 9 explore all of
these topics so that, by the time they tackle projects at GCSE and
Advanced Level, they are ready to write design briefs themselves
and produce original solutions of their own.
Graphics
Pupils learn a variety of different techniques that will help
them bring their design ideas to life. This starts with hand
sketching in an informal style; they move on to the use of
computer-based drawing and the latest 3-dimensional software. The
department has several networked PC's, and also makes use of the
ICT Department's suite of rooms. Pro/DESKTOP, the latest and most
popular 3-Dimensional Computer Aided Drawing (3-D CAD) software
available in schools, is taught from Year 8 onwards; any item
imaginable can be drawn on screen, rotated and viewed from all
angles and then "virtually" manufactured from any material of the
pupil's choice.
Electronics
This is a new topic for many girls in Years 7 and 8. The subject
takes a practical systems approach. Girls learn how to use sensors
to detect a variety of different changing conditions such as an
increase in temperature, light or pressure. Signals from these
sensors are then processed to create a useful output, such as
switching on a motor to turn a fan. Using a hands-on approach,
girls learn how to combine different devices to reproduce the
effect they have designed in the classroom. In Year 8, they are
able to use computer programmable chips to play musical tunes they
have written.
Resistant Materials
This term refers to all the activities using wood, metal and
plastic that pupils use to design and make new products. The
emphasis is on developing an individual's confidence in her own
skill and innovative ideas. The comprehensive facilities within the
department allow pupils to create a great variety of artefacts,
including decorative boxes, jewellery, chairs, tables, guitars,
toys and much, much more. When appropriate, girls make use of
Computer Aided Manufacturing to improve speed and accuracy. Pupils
at the start of Year 10 can choose to follow this route to
GCSE.
Arkwright Scholarship
Success at GCSE and A level has paved the way for girls at
Bolton School to gain this prestigious award which supports pupils
as they progress towards university and is worth £1,000. We enter
girls for this national competition annually. Reena Ardeshana in
Year 13 is our most recent Arkwright Scholar.
The competition, which attracted 743 applicants, required Reena
to pass an Aptitude Paper in order to demonstrate "flair and
originality" in solving engineering design problems. She also had
to present her GCSE work to a panel of interviewers earlier this
year. The final stage took place at the University of Lancaster
where Reena had to take part in a team exercise set by the
university.
Having emerged triumphant from all these stages, Reena was
formally presented with her award at a ceremony hosted by The
Institution of Engineering and Technology at Savoy Place in London.
The award, which provided Reena with £250 a year during her A Level
studies, will also allow her to carry the status of Arkwright
Scholar with her to university. Many congratulations on this
impressive achievement.