Royal Russell Senior School

D E S I G N & T E C H N O L O G Y

Click here to access Design & Technology curriculum details

A significant moment was receiving notification that one of our A level students, Nattapon Kanokvaleewong, was one of the top ten Design and Technology students out of 35,000

We received this news after last year’s Russellian had gone to print. Nattapon was a hard working student who aimed for perfection in all areas of the subject. His efforts were rewarded with the news that out of 35,000 Edexcel Design and Technology students his final A level examination result was in the top ten. This result helped Nattapon gain a place at St Martin’s College where he is currently studying Art. We hope he enjoys the same success when he graduates from the college next year.

Nattapon

A level

Last years A level results were again very pleasing with 100% grades A or B. As well as the results it is also rewarding to see the diversity of the coursework produced. Three examples of this years projects are shown in the pictures. Alex is shown with his shop window display for a Music store – the display is motorised and the CDs move on a track over the surface of the display. Minty produced an attractive water feature, this posed a number of logistical problems, not to mention wet feet. Chris developed a garden display which was specifically designed for the elderly gardener.

A lot of credit and thanks must be given to Mr Parmar. His advice and many hours of time after school assisted the A level and GCSE students in completing successful outcomes to their practical work which ultimately rewarded them with high grades

GCSE

Last year 21 students completed a GCSE in Design and Technology with 20 of them being awarded a grade A, B or C. GCSE students are given an open choice for their final coursework project and some of this years work is shown here. Nathtakritt (Yok) Dulyakometh designed and made a child’s mobile and was commended by the examiner for the outstanding quality of her work. Other projects shown are by Esther and Laura who both did childs seating. Much of the work produced by the pupils is demanding and requires the sourcing and purchase of the right materials. In this respect we are very fortunate to have a dedicated technician, Mrs Pearce, whose behind the scenes support and hands on help, long after ‘going home time’, is a tremendous asset to the pupils.

In January 2007 we were pleased to host Professor Kousaku Doi from Tottori University in Japan. High school children in Japan do not learn about design and designing and have no opportunity at school to develop their practical skills. Professor Doi has been canvassing to get the equivalent of our Design and Technology subject introduced to the school curriculum in Japan. Whilst he was with us he observed and gave questionnaires to our Yr 7 students. When the Yr 7 students are in Yr 10 they will be requestionned to gauge their progress over the three years. This is an interesting and valuable link and we look forward to the results of Professor Doi’s long term research into the benefits of studying Design and Technology education at Royal Russell school.

Projects for KS3

Esther

Yok

Nicola

KS3

Meanwhile our own Key Stage 3 pupils have been working hard on a range of design and make projects gaining valuable experience working with a wide range of materials and processes. This year pupils tackled a new project in Yr 8 which was to design an acrylic picture holder based on the work of the 1980’s Memphis Design movement. Pictured are Nicola , Gabbi and Grace showing off their final projects.

M. C. Finch