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Resistant Materials
Resistant materials is taught throughout Key Stage 3 and becomes a specialist
subject at Key Stage 4.
At Key Stage 3, the first area which students are introduced to on entry to the
department is the Health and Safety issues associated with working in a
workshop. The subsequent project work is then designed to give progression of
skills and subject knowledge while involving students in the design process so
that they can become creative problem solvers.
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To learn about graphics is primarily to learn about using other ways of
communicating concepts and ideas in a visual and creative way. Graphics as a
subject is the first step to becoming a designer in a whole range of design
disciplines which include product design, architecture, game designing, desktop
publishing, civil engineering, electronic engineering and fashion design. The
list does not end there as there are many more design related careers that start
with the ability to communicate visually and creatively.
At key stage 3, graphics is integrated into all areas of design and technology.
Technology at Cromwell Community College is taught in a rotation or carousel
basis. This means that your child will experience all the subject areas of
technology in one achademic year. In years 7 and 8 graphics is taught as a
separate subject and also integrated into other areas of technology. While
graphics remains an important element of all technology areas in year 9, it is
strongly linked to resistant materials during this academic year.
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In year 7, students work in wood to produce a marionette puppet and half the
year group will also experience basic metal working skills producing a metal
etched badge.
The year 8, projects involve working in plastics and electronics to produce a
steady hand game and also in wood to explore the use of mechanisms in mechanical
toys.
Year 9 is more involved in linking the work we do in school with what happens in
industry. Students produce mirrors for a child’s room and a jitter bug which
incorporates injection moulding and vacuum forming. Half of the year group also
develop an interlocking bug which is cut using the schools CAM facilities.
At Key Stage 4 Resistant Materials is a specialist subject with excellent exam
pass rates. We follow the AQA syllabus which caters for students of mixed
ability. Students that follow this course must have a flair for creativity, be
independent learners and be able to communicate ideas both in written and design
drawing formats. It should be pointed out that this course is not purely
practical. 60% of the final GCSE grade is made up of project work, involving the
production of an extensive folio to support the practical task. 40% is a final
written exam.
Throughout all project work students are introduced to different forms or ICT.
Specific to the department is the use of our CAD/CAM facilities which are used
widely across the year groups.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information. For further questions
please contact Mrs E Watson.
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