Head of Design and Technology

The Design and Technology Department at Westcliff High School for Boys (WHSB) has been a high performing Department for many years. It has consistently achieved outstanding results at GCSE and A Level and ranks amongst the best performing departments within the School. The Department has grown considerably in previous years. There are presently six classes taking GCSE Design and Technology in Year 10 and Year 11 and, Sixth Form numbers are regularly in the double figures. The Department plays an important role in the extra-curricular life of the School. We offer a variety of additional clubs which students can attend, aimed at enriching their experience and extending the more able. In the Lower School we offer Technology Club, CAD Club and the Robotics Society. In the Middle School, pupils have the opportunity to be part of the Arkwright Scholarship programme and Engineering Society, whilst in the Upper School, students can take part in the Industrial Cadet Gold Award and Gold CREST Awards, which includes annual residential visits to the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. The department also benefits from a thriving Food Technology department with opportunities to attend eFood Society or, Gastronomy Club. The Technology Department occupies two workshops, a computer suite and one Food room within its own distinct building. In September 2018, the department underwent a full refurbishment to modernise facilities and create a fresh and attractive teaching environment. On a practical level, both workshops are complimented by a full range of traditional machinery including centre lathes, milling machine, brazing hearth, wood lathe and mortiser. Interest in CADCAM has increased significantly in recent years which has led to further investment in a 60W Laser Cutter and eight 3d printers. Curriculum The Lower School (Year 7 to Year 9) curriculum has been carefully crafted and sequenced to encourage independent learning, develop designing and making skills, alongside improving examination technique. Classes are taught on a carousel basis and transfer to a new project at the end of every term. Pupils study a range of theoretical and practical lessons based on three main areas of focus: Product Design, Engineering and Food Technology. Three lessons are taught over two weeks, within which, one is a double period. We use a range of assessment and investigations to introduce, consolidate and extend pupils’ understanding of the subject. We encourage pupils to develop a more in-depth understanding of the principles they are currently learning, and this gives them a wider breadth of knowledge. The AQA GCSE 9-1 Curriculum follows on from the work that has been completed in the Lower School, both consolidating parts of it that have previously been covered to GCSE Level but also extending other parts so pupils can access the Level 9 GCSE grade. Sixth Form students also follow the AQA specification for Product Design. Examination Results The Design and Technology department has a track record of examination success: at GCSE, 60% of the 2025 cohort achieved grades 8-9, while 88% achieved grades 7-9. At A-Level, students achieved 44% A*-A and 100% achieved A*-B. Students leaving the School to study Design and Technology at university often do so at prestigious institutions.