This term refers to all the activities pupils are involved in,
using wood, metal and plastic, to design and make new products.
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; moving 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. ProDesktop, a 3-Dimensional
Computer Aided Drawing software programme (3-D CAD) is available in
school as is TechSoft 2D Design which links to a Laser Cutter
(Computer Aided Manufacture).
These programmes are taught from Year 7 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.
Pupils also have the chance to enhance their Resistant Materials
work by including some Electronic components. To enable them to do
this pupils from Year 7 onwards learn how to solder a variety of
circuits including ones that involve LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)
and programmable chips.
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.
Pupils can choose to follow a GCSE Resistant Materials course from
the beginning of Year 10 and later on a Product Design course at
Advanced Level.
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. Our latest Arkwright
Scholar is Reena Ardeshana who is aiming to pursue a career in
Architecture.
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. 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.