Design & Technology
The Design & Technology Department occupies its own purpose built building – the Technology Centre. The building comprises six rooms, each with its own specialism.
The Design Studio - this room is set up to be a creative environment for creating innovative designs, to be realized in one of our specialist workshops. This room also boasts a collection of classic and iconic products on display along side examples of our pupils’ work.
The Product Design Space - this room gives pupils access to a range of hand tools and general workshop equipment alongside specialist hot metal treatment including welding, brazing, casting and forging.
The Systems Space - this room has access to a full suite of PCs set up with a range of control software, this area is also home to a vast array of electronics and soldering equipment allowing pupils to produce working prototypes for their coursework.
The Design Technology Space - this room has access to many pieces of industrial standard equipment including a center lathe, milling machine, scroll saws and pillar drills.
The CAD Suite - the room houses 24 PCs, running industry-standard software allowing pupils access to 2D and 3D CAD packages. LRGS uses ‘AUTODESK INVENTOR Professional’ 3D parametric computer aided design. This software is used by many of the world’s top design and engineering companies due to its impressive power to realise ideas.
The central machining area - this includes wood plastic and metal working machine tools including lathes, linishers, bobbin sander, morticer, vacuum former, fluidizing bath and injection moulder. There is also a staff only section for our planer/thicknesser, table and band saws.
The department firmly believes in modern manufacturing techniques and we endeavor to remain up to date with the rapidly evolving world of design and engineering. We have invested heavily in Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) facilities and now boast an extensive range of equipment including:
- 6 x 3D printer
- 2 x 3 axis CNC routers
- Laser cutter
- Large format CNC vinyl cutter
Staff profiles
Mr Lemon, Head of Department
Mr Lemon graduated in BSc Product Design at UCLAN and went on to work as a mechanical engineer. During his career in design he worked on numerous projects including the DENNIS fire engine and a double-decker bus commissioned by a Singapore-based transport agency. Mr Lemon also spent time working as a graphic designer specialising in corporate identity development before deciding on a career change and studying PGCE Design & Technology at Edgehill University.
Mr Spence, Design and Technology Teacher graduated with a degree in Product Design from UCLAN. He started his career in education working at Morecambe High School before completing his PGSE at Edge Hill. After teaching in the Southeast of England for a number of years he has returned to the Northwest. He teaches Design and Technology at KS3-5 and Food at KS3.
Mr Fraser, Design and Technology Teacher. After graduating from the University of Lincoln with a first-class degree in Creative Advertising, Mr Fraser trained to teach Design and Technology through the Ripley Teaching Alliance. Previously teaching in Penwortham, near Preston, he has specialised in electronics and systems as well as product design through his career.
Mr D. Hunt, Design & Technology Technician, completed an electrical apprenticeship upon leaving school and later worked as an electrician, running his own business for many years in the local area. He likes to spend his spare time renovating houses and indulging in his other passion, motorbikes.
Technology 11+
All boys in the Lower School study Design & Technology, following the National Curriculum. Pupils are taught in groups of up to 20, and will spend time studying product design, where they will realise their exciting and innovative designs. A portion of the year is spent in the food department producing culinary delights from around the world.
In the Technology Centre pupils produce creative products in wood, metals, plastics and ‘smart’ materials, using a range of tools, machinery and CAM. Here at LRGS we believe that the boys should learn the entire design process from client brief to evaluation. All projects follow the same format and increase in complexity year on year. Skills are built up from Year 7, where design and creativity are paramount, to Year 9 where we introduce the concept of control and scales of production.
11+ Extra-curricular Projects
Boys are invited to attend a lunchtime D&T club. As part of this club we regularly enter national competitions run by a variety of organisations.
Groups of pupils also participate in local and regional Technology events and competitions including the Rotary Club challenge.
Technology 13+
All pupils are required to take a Technology subject at GCSE and are able to choose one of the following options:
• Design & Technology – Product Design
• Food Preparation and Nutrition
In each case the coursework project accounts for 50% of the final GCSE mark and the remaining 50% is gained through a final exam.
Product design focuses on the production of a ‘commercially viable’ product. Boys work through the whole design process following industry standard techniques and will produce products such as iPod docks, radios, lighting and phone charging stations. There are no limitations on material choice or on the method of manufacture. There are the traditional options of wood, metal and plastic but pupils often experiment with modern composites and smart materials to produce cutting edge designs. CAD and CAM have a large part to play in the projects and all pupils will produce digital prototypes to investigate and test their designs.
Food Preparation is a hands-on subject and boys will be ‘learning–by-doing’. It involves working in the same way as a food technologist works in industry developing new food products. Pupils design and make a wide range of products and develop making skills. The theoretical element of the course comprises sections about foods, ingredients, processes, techniques and functions of food through experimenting and testing. Diet, nutrition, health, and consumer choice will also be explored.
Systems Design gives students an opportunity to develop a new product concept using electronic and mechanical systems.
13+ Extra-curricular Projects
Pupils have enjoyed and benefited from courses organised by the Smallpiece Trust. These are residential courses in universities all around the country and give participants’ insight into Technology and Engineering. Students progressing to A-level Technology are encouraged to apply for Arkwright Scholarships. Successful applicants gain funding to attend courses throughout the country and to fund development of their ideas.
13+ FAQs
Which exam board do you use?
We use AQA Design & Technology.
Who pays for GCSE projects?
You do! We have a stock room with a wide range of materials but materials used in projects must be paid for. In any case, many pupils require and buy in special materials for their projects.
What support is available outside class time?
Teachers and the department technician will be available, particularly in the busy period as GCSE deadlines approach. Facilities are generally available for use when a member of the teaching staff is in the building.
Design & Technology Sixth Form
Sixth Form Curriculum
The Department offers two A-level courses: AQA Product Design (3D).
AQA Product Design
Year 12 is made up of small projects designed to open up the students eyes to the world of Design and Engineering. Students will have the opportunity to work in a wide range of material areas as well as developing skills in the design and communication field. Year 13 is a single design and make project comprising a portfolio and practical outcome. This is 50% of the final A-level grades the other 50% is made up from 2 exams on Design and engineering principles.